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Dr. James Irvine, center, toured the facility this week with his wife Trudy Connor. (Image Credit: Facebook/La Ronge & Area Long Term Care Fundraising)
senior supports

Doctor impressed by progress on La Ronge long-term care home

Jun 26, 2026 | 4:00 PM

A donor and former doctor from La Ronge is pleased with the work being done on the new long-term care facility currently under construction.  

Dr. James Irvine and his wife Trudy Connor, who donated $300,000 to purchase dialysis equipment, toured the building earlier this week with fundraising coordinator Jacob Page and other officials. Irvine spent more than 50 years working in medicine, and he believes Northerners will be impressed with what’s being built.  

“I think we were all so pleased when we heard of the long-term care facility being developed with the expansion of beds and services offered, but seeing it come to fruition and seeing the details that have been looked at and considered and getting so close now…is so good to see,” he remarked. 

“I think a lot of community members will be very pleased to see that facility and the details that have gone into the development of that facility.” 

The new $100 million, three-story facility consists of 80 private rooms with bathrooms, increasing capacity by 64 beds from the current space in the health centre. The home will also feature shared living areas, family rooms, a commercial kitchen and cafeteria, a serenity room and a traditional healing space. 

In addition, the health centre will be renovated to improve program areas including an expanded physiotherapy space, an adult day program and the region’s first hemodialysis unit. 

Construction on the facility reached 75 per cent completion this month.
Construction on the facility reached 75 per cent completion this month. (Image Credit: Facebook/La Ronge & Area Long Term Care Fundraising)
A rendering of a day program space.
A rendering of a day program space. (Image Credit: Facebook/La Ronge & Area Long Term Care Fundraising)
A rendering of a tub room, which will be located on each floor.
A rendering of a tub room, which will be located on each floor. (Image Credit: Facebook/La Ronge & Area Long Term Care Fundraising)

“It is amazing to think of all the considerations there are in the development of such a facility and how so much planning has gone into it,” Irvine explained. 

“Things like thinking of the geography of the area, the distance family have to travel, or the culture of the various communities and the social makeup, even the considerations for art and the things they are putting in is quite remarkable.” 

Irvine noted there will also be space for families to stay when they come to La Ronge to visit loved ones at the facility. He added it will go a long way having seniors be able to live so close to home, instead of having to live in southern communities like Prince Albert or Saskatoon. 

“Just like having a view of trees or the water or having the nice facilities, which can calm people and make people feel more comfortable, the same thing with having family present or visiting at various times can be so good,” Irvine said. 

“Or in those time when it is very close to the end of life, having family being able to be present in the facility or having a suite where the family can stay during the last few days of life, I think is so valuable for both the mental well-being, but also the physical well-being of the Elders.” 

As of this month, the long-term care home is 75 per cent complete. In regards to fundraising for furnishing, $3,165,000 has been raised out of a $5 million goal as of March 31.  

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com