MOOSE JAW — Heartland Hospice's Serenity Garden project at Pioneer Lodge is quickly taking shape thanks to a generous community who helped the non-profit in its mission to create a comforting hospice space earlier this June.
Following an open call for perennials, the Serenity Garden has now received over 40 donations and the garden is now expanding so each of the wing’s windows will look over a tranquil gardenscape.
“The community contributions have just been wonderful,” said Connie Paul, a Heartland Hospice board member. “I didn’t expect to get so many calls, but yes, I got more than I ever thought I would get.”
In fact, Paul said she’s seen so much generosity that she’s now run out of space.
“We’ve put a pause on (receiving donations),” she said. “I even had to turn down a few just because I didn’t have the space to put them in this year…”
Paul said she’s hoping to resume the project next spring and, room permitting, Heartland Hospice will once again put out the call for donations as the garden receives its finishing touches.
The Serenity Garden at Pioneer Lodge is part of the ongoing hospice care project led by Heartland Hospice and provides a place for residents, workers, and families to go to spend some peaceful time among the fountain’s flowing water, fresh breeze, and beautifully coloured flowers.
Two local greenhouses – Keon Garden Centre and Just A Girl In Her Garden – deserve a special mention for their contributions to the Serenity Garden project this spring.
“Keon (Garden Centre) has been great,” Paul said appreciatively. “For the last few years, they’ve donated some annual plants for our garden just to keep it looking nice and gorgeous. They filled up our potted plants and (the beds) around our gazebo.
“Marcy (Duffey) and them have been great,” she said. “They just continue to be very generous at helping us out.”
Another donation from Jacqueline Williams, the owner of Just A Girl In Her Garden, enabled the non-profit to begin the expansion of its second portion of the garden ahead of schedule.
“Just A Girl In Her Garden gave us a bunch of perennials that I planted back there, (and these will) grow continuously forever and ever,” Paul said thankfully.
Although initiated this year, Paul said the project’s final touches – including a walkway, sitting space, and a planting wall – will remain on hold until next spring due to ongoing construction.
The team at Heartland Hospice has also received a lot of early feedback.
“There’s (already) residents outside in the garden, on the sidewalk, or in the gazebo,” Paul said. “I’ve had many comments from other people that are just walking by, or (from) a lot of the families who are coming out of the building about how nice it is and how much they enjoy it.
“It’s just so peaceful and serene,” she added. “When you go out there with the water fountain and all the beautiful flowers – yeah, we all enjoy doing the work. It’s a great place to be.”
Paul said the builders reported that construction is right on schedule and the anticipated opening date of December 2024 still stands.
“They’re making great progress inside, so we’re getting quite excited about having it done,” she said.
She also wanted to thank everyone who helped make the life-changing project possible.
“Without our volunteers and without the community support right now, we wouldn’t be anywhere as far along as we are in the garden or with the hospice rooms," she said. "We’re forever thankful and it’s so heartwarming to just know that the families are going to be able to have this serene place (for) their journey.”
Pioneer Lodge is located at 1000 Albert Street and can be reached at 306-693-4616.
To learn more about Heartland Hospice, visit HeartlandHospiceMJ.ca or call 306-690-8699.
