A quiet but powerful addition to end-of-life care in Moose Jaw was officially unveiled May 1, as Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw marked the grand opening of a new Sacred Space at Pioneer Lodge, completing a years-long, community-driven effort rooted in compassion.

The opening follows the recent launch of three hospice palliative care rooms within the facility, bringing the organization’s long-standing vision to completion after more than a decade of advocacy, fundraising, and collaboration.

“Today marks a truly meaningful milestone for Heartland Hospice and the community of Moose Jaw,” said Karen Avery, executive director of continuing care with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

Created as a peaceful, welcoming environment within the hospice setting, the Sacred Space is intended to provide comfort and support to patients and their families alongside services offered in the adjacent wing.

“This inclusive area is designed to serve patients, family members, and loved ones by providing a place for reflection, connection, and meaningful spiritual and cultural practices,” said Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA Megan Patterson, speaking on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan.

The space is intentionally non-denominational, welcoming individuals of all cultural and faith backgrounds. Its design draws inspiration from the natural surroundings of the Serenity Garden just outside its windows, blending light, art, and nature to create a calming atmosphere. A four-panel stained glass installation, titled “Seasons” and created by local artist Brenda McLaughlin, serves as a visual centrepiece that reflects the cycles of life and the passage of time.

For organizers and volunteers, the opening represents not only the completion of a physical space, but the realization of a deeply personal mission that began in 2013 with the vision of Arlene Kolosky.

“We’ve had strong community support from day one. Even today, we had people show up early and ask if they could help us set up,” said Sara Bryan, chair of Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw. “We feel very well supported.”

That sense of collective effort was echoed throughout the event, with speakers repeatedly pointing to the partnerships that made the project possible, including collaboration between Heartland Hospice, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, local businesses, and provincial leadership.

“I think once we all came together, we were able to bring this vision to fruition,” Avery said, emphasizing the role of collaboration in making the project possible.

Since opening its hospice wing on April 11, 2025, the facility has already supported 25 clients and their families, providing a combined 759 days of care — a clear indication of the growing need for accessible, community-based palliative services.

For patients and families, that access means more than convenience. It allows individuals to remain close to home, surrounded by familiar faces and support systems during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Together, the hospice wing, family spaces, Serenity Garden, and now the Sacred Space form a comprehensive environment focused on comfort, dignity, and connection.

“This space reflects the shared commitment … to providing the right care in the right place at the right time, close to home,” Avery said.

While the Sacred Space marks the close of a major chapter, organizers said the work continues, with roughly $300,000 still to be raised toward the project’s approximately $1.3-million capital goal, alongside ongoing enhancements and support within the facility.

As one blessing shared during the ceremony expressed, the hope is that the space will offer “a deep peace of knowing they are loved and held” to all who enter.

Aaron Walker

Reporter

Moose Jaw Express