Humboldt Urban Garden Sanctuary has seen its first steps in development with a ground breaking on June 3. The reflective garden space which has come to be known by its abbreviation HUGS is on the Humboldt District Health Complex as is in response to the Humboldt Broncos Tragedy. 

The idea was born when Landscape Saskatchewan and Landscape Alberta approached the City of Humboldt with the idea for a space that would be equal parts memorial and reflective space. Once the City and the Saskatchewan Health Authority were on board, students from Olds College’s horticulture programs were tasked with creating a design. Local metal artist Murray Cook has been contracted to create a sculpture for the space. 

“At the same time, a friendly group of ours, the Communities in Bloom group, had also approached the city about a garden, and we agreed to work together on this,” says Joel Beatson, executive director of Landscape Saskatchewan. “The hospital stepped forward as a potential site, and the rest has gone into a long stage of planning.”

The ground breaking got under way with a ceremonial tree planting. The design, based on the students’ work and refined by Christyn Palazzo of Palazzo Designs of Regina, includes accessible pathways and seating areas throughout the layout of trees and gardens. Work is expected to progress rapidly through the summer, says Beatson. 

“Construction has already started. They’ve stripped the site and have moved in the base material. Pavers and concrete walkways are set to be installed, and from there we’ll start installing irrigation and lighting and then move pretty quickly on to planting.” 

Construction was originally slated for 2020 but that was delayed by the pandemic. Work is scheduled to be completed by September this year with an official opening to follow. 

Yvonne Berscheid, Site Leader of Humboldt District Hospital, stated, “On behalf of Saskatchewan Health Authority, the patients, families and staff of Humboldt District Hospital, thank you to all those who had a hand in planning this garden, and all those who will help see it come to life. It is our hope that in some small way, this garden will help those who visit it find peace and healing. A place of reflection for many in our tight knit Humboldt community.”

Dignitaries at the groundbreaking included Humboldt Mayor Michael Behiel, committee members, hospital representatives, along with Carol Brons who spoke at the event. 

Garden donors include Garden donors include Burnco Landscape Centre, Expocrete, the City of Humboldt, Brandt, Barkman Concrete, Palazzo Landscape Design, Manderley, Lakeshore Tree Farms, Snap Edge, Techniseal, Techo-Bloc, Cornell Design & Landscaping, Great North Hardscapes, Dutch Growers, in-lite Design Corporation, Red Deer Soils Ltd., and the Grazing Design for the logo creation.