Northern Ontario families that travel to Ottawa for medical care will soon have a newly-expanded place to stay thanks to an addition at the Ronald McDonald House in that city.
Federal officials this week announced funding of more than $9.3 million to help create a new, accessible net-zero carbon building to meet the current and future needs of families traveling to seek medical care, said a news release.
The facility will provide more accommodations at a significant discount for families and patients that need treatment at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).
The expansion is planned to add 22 new rooms along with improving accessibility in the house. The McDonald House in Ottawa has operated without an elevator for 38 years. The expansion will add roughly 25,000 square feet to the building.
"Ronald McDonald House Ottawa provides equitable, accessible care for local families and families from rural, Northern and Indigenous communities. The Government of Canada's investment in expanding the House will help it to grow its services and support more families whose children are facing serious illness," said Ottawa South MP David McGuinty.
He was speaking on behalf of Infrastructure and Communities minister Dominic LeBlanc. Ottawa Vanier MP Mona Fortier commented that the facility is important to children and families from across Ontario that visit the childrens' hospital.
"Ronald McDonald House Ottawa plays a vital role in supporting families and helping children traveling to access treatment at CHEO. The Government of Canada's investment will significantly increase the space available at this facility, helping more families to stay with their children as they seek medical care," Fornier said.
Also, since the current Ronald McDonald house officially opened back in 1984, approximately 140 Sudbury area families have been assisted there, said an official in Ottawa.
Editor's Note: This story was corrected on Friday August 12 to include the correct photograph of the Ronald McDonald house in Ottawa.
