New Esterhazy integrated health-care facility moves closer to reality

ESTERHAZY, Sask. – The dream of a new health-care facility for Esterhazy and the surrounding area is moving forward, backed by growing community support, provincial investment and more than $10 million in local fundraising, commitments and assets, fundraising organizers say.

The latest sign of that momentum came in August, when the Esterhazy and District Health Care Committee hosted its second annual Friends & Fairways Golf Tournament. The event raised

$122,000, bringing the tournament's two-year total to $234,000.

The tournament was attended by Saskatchewan Minister of Rural Health and Addictions Lori Carr and local MLA and Minister of Trade and Export Development Warren Kaeding, who joined community leaders to celebrate the progress being made toward a new integrated healthcare facility for the region.

For many residents, a new hospital and care home has been discussed for years. Today, the project is closer than ever, supporters report.

Earlier this year, the Government of Saskatchewan included funding in the 2026-27 provincial budget to advance planning work for new integrated health-care facilities in Esterhazy, Grenfell, La Ronge and the Battlefords. The province also reduced the community fundraising requirement for new hospitals and long-term care facilities from 20 per cent to 10 per cent of construction costs and 100 per cent of furniture and fixtures.

"For years, people have asked whether this project would ever happen," said Esterhazy Mayor Randy Bot.

"Today, we can point to real progress. We have strong provincial support, a committed local fundraising team, and millions of dollars already raised. The momentum is real, and now is the time to keep moving forward together."

Building on Years of Community Support

The vision for a new integrated health-care facility has been driven by local volunteers, community organizations, health-care advocates, municipal leaders and residents for nearly two decades, states the Esterhazy and District Health Care Committee.

To help co-ordinate fundraising and advocacy efforts, the committee was formed in 2024. The committee includes representatives from the Town of Esterhazy, RM of Spy Hill, RM of Fertile Belt, Mosaic, St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation, Esterhazy & District Charity Golf and others. The committee is co-chaired by Bot and Mosaic’s Lawrence Berthelet, with vice-chairs Reeves Robert Bruce and Oliver Pask.

The committee works closely with government officials while leading fundraising efforts for the new facility, the organization says.

All donations to the Esterhazy & District Health Care Fund are managed through the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation, which provides charitable tax receipts and oversees the fund.

Healthcare Needs Continue Today

While work continues toward a new facility, local organizations remain focused on supporting health-care services today.

Efforts to recruit and retain physicians and healthcare professionals remain a priority, as does fundraising for equipment needed at St. Anthony's Hospital, the long-term care home and local medical services, according to the committee.

Last year, the St. Anthony's Hospital Foundation held its first fundraising gala, raising more than

$33,000 for new hospital equipment. The foundation's second annual Diamonds & Denim Gala was recently held, raising just over $30,000. The event was supported by local businesses, organizations and community members from across the region.

Fundraising Progress

Community fundraising efforts have now surpassed $10 million through a combination of fundraising, assets, furniture/fixtures, and municipal commitments.

Since 2000, $2.6M has been raised and invested in local health-care needs.

"This community has already demonstrated what's possible when people come together around a shared goal," said Lawrence Berthelet, Co-Chair of the Esterhazy and District Health Care Committee.

"Every donation, fundraiser, sponsorship and volunteer contribution is helping move this project one step closer to becoming a reality."

What's Next?

The committee says several important milestones are expected over the coming year, including:

• A final decision on the site location for the new facility.