Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford is 100 years young.
The province's only psychiatric rehabilitation and forensic hospital will celebrate its centennial this weekend July 12 - 14 with a 100th anniversary party on the front lawn of SHNB and a reunion of past and present employees of the historic institution.
"Everyone is welcome to join patients, families and staff in the Saturday afternoon festivities which will include anniversary cake, entertainment, games and other refreshments," says SHNB director Linda Shynkaruk.
The anniversary party goes from 1:30 - 4 p.m. In keeping with the centennial theme, activities will include a fish pond, sack races, three-legged races, wheelbarrow races and more with prizes for the events. Face painting will be available for children. Refreshments - also reflective of earlier days - will include popcorn, ice cream, iced tea and others for purchase at an 'olden days' cost of a single token at 50 cents.
Inside and outside tours of the hospital and hospital grounds will be available between 2 and 4 p.m. The hospital's museum will be open to the public during these hours.
"We are looking forward to an excellent turnout," Shynkaruk adds. "It's a great opportunity for the community to join in celebration of the first 100 years of SHNB."
Saskatchewan Hospital has played a significant role in the history of the Battlefords, northwest Saskatchewan, and the province and country as a whole, Shynkaruk emphasizes.
"Thousands of patients have been cared for and treated at SHNB during its first 100 years. And thousands of employees have provided that care and all of the services that made Saskatchewan Hospital function. SHNB became a family and community unto its own in its earlier years, and has been an economic force in the Battlefords throughout its history.
"For these reasons, Battlefords residents continue to feel a strong affinity for the patients, staff, structures and heritage of Saskatchewan Hospital," states Shynkaruk.
All of that heritage will be further celebrated this weekend by over 350 former employees of Saskatchewan Hospital, their family members, descendents and community members who have registered for three days of reunion activities.
Reunion spokesperson Jane Shury explains that the reunion begins Friday evening with registration and a social. The hospital museum is open to registrants Friday evening and again Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.
Reunion registrants can golf at the Saskatchewan Hospital Golf Course Saturday morning. A Royal Canadian Legion service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the cenotaph and memorial park on the SHNB grounds. The public is welcome to attend the Legion service. Reunion registrants are invited to participate in the Saturday afternoon 100th anniversary party and will particularly enjoy the tours of the hospital and grounds. The highlight of the reunion and centennial celebration is the Saturday evening banquet sponsored by Prairie North Health Region. The banquet features special guests, presentations and entertainment, followed by an evening of dancing and socializing.
"Renewing past acquaintances, sharing stories, exchanging highlights and memories, and making new friends and memories are without doubt the climax of the weekend," states Shury. "It's a time to mark Saskatchewan Hospital's first 100 years and look forward with anticipation to the next century of caring," Shury adds.
The weekend reunion concludes with an interdenominational church service in the revered Saskatchewan Hospital Chapel followed by a farewell brunch for all registrants, SHNB patients and on duty staff.
"We are excited with the tremendous response we've had to our plans for the reunion and centennial celebrations," state Shury and Shynkaruk. "We are very pleased to have worked together to bring these events to reality, and look forward to an outstanding celebration of this extraordinary institution, and all those who have been part of its first 100 years," they conclude.
