Council rejects bid for reduced costs on Ronald McDonald House development

Prince Albert City Council has rejected a request from Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan for reduced infrastructure and development costs related to the construction of its new facility on 25th Street West, following a delegation from the organization’s chief executive officer.

Council heard from Tammy Forrester, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan, who outlined the charity’s request for the City to cover most of the surface infrastructure costs on 25th Street West and to reduce development levies so they would apply only to the 2.7 acres currently being developed, rather than the full 5.85 acre parcel.

Forrester told council the project is intended to serve families from across northern Saskatchewan who travel to Prince Albert for medical care, and told council the facility should be treated differently than a typical private development.

“This is not a commercial project,” Forrester said. “This is about supporting families at some of the most difficult moments of their lives.”

She also noted that the proposal had already been scaled from earlier concepts, with the building footprint reduced and future expansion placed into long-term planning.

In response to questions from Coun. Daniel Brown, about the remaining three acres of land, Forrester said the unused portion is not part of the current build and is intended as future community space.

“It is a long-range plan,” she said. “That space is not part of what we are building right now. The vision is to eventually create community space, potentially green space or park-like areas, but there are no commercial plans for it. Our focus is on building the house and supporting families.”

City administration, however, recommended that both requests be denied.

In its report, administration stated that the CIty is bound by an existing servicing agreement that outlines how underground and surface infrastructure costs are to be shared. The report also cited the City’s current financial position, including land fund deficits and unbudgeted infrastructure pressures.

Administration further noted that development levies must be applied in accordance with the Planning and Development Act, 2007, and the City’s development levy bylaw, which does not provide exemptions for projects of this nature.

Administration told council that granting special treatment in this case could set a precedent for other developments seeking similar concessions.

Council debated the request, with several councillors acknowledging the social value of the project while also expressing concern about the City’s ability to absorb additional costs.

Coun. Dawn Kilmer said the work of Ronald McDonald House is important, but stressed that the council must apply policies consistently.

“I fully support what Ronald McDonald House does, and I know how valuable it is to families,” Kilmer said. “But we also have to be fair and follow the same rules for everyone.”

Coun. Blake Edwards also echoed those concerns, noting that the council must consider fairness and consistency in how development costs are applied.

Mayor Powalinsky said the issue was not about the worth of the organization, but about the CIty’s responsibility to manage public funds within existing legislation.

At the conclusion of the discussion, council voted to follow administration’s recommendation, denying both the surface cost request and the proposed reduction in development levies. Council also authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the existing servicing agreement governing the project.

The decision means Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan will proceed with construction under standard cost-sharing arrangements, paying its proportional share of surface infrastructure and full development levies as required by City policy.

While the financial concessions were denied, councillors repeatedly expressed support for the organization’s mission and acknowledged the benefit the new facility will bring to families in the region, with construction focused on the 2.7 acre footprint and the remaining land reserved for future community-oriented use.

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