It's a long time coming, but the St. Mary’s Villa Foundation plans to start fundraising for a new building.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority has not approved a new building, but the foundation and other concerned citizens wanted to be proactive, executive director Donna Muench said. 

She expects it could be a decade before the health authority gives the go-ahead for the project, and the foundation wants to start fundraising before then.

"Our building is 55 years old and needs to be replaced," she said.

The foundation would like rooms that feel more like a home, given the villa is indeed a home for the 85 residents, she said.

The current cinder block rooms are small and many don't have bathrooms, she said. Some areas can't have ceiling track lifts installed, so moving the residents can be an issue.

The structure is old and it's getting to the point where it's more economical to replace the whole facility rather than continue to do upgrades, she said.

In the meantime, the foundation continues to fundraise for ongoing capital expenses.

The foundation has in the past bought the villa bus, ceiling track lifts, sit-to-stand lifts, gazebos in the courtyards, plants for residents to plant in the spring, recreation items, baby change tables for visitors, and entertainment.

They're currently funding a project to enhance the Kelly Weber Lounge, sunroom and sitting area across from St. Mary’s Hall.