Calgary Expansion

On May 22, 2025, Calgary’s Ronald McDonald House officially opened its expanded facility to a fanfare of celebration and excitement.

Since breaking ground in June 2023, the House has grown from 27 to 91 family suites, making it the seventh largest Ronald McDonald House in the world at the time of its opening. The expansion also introduced several new spaces designed to support families during their stay, including a commercial kitchen, playrooms, and a fully accessible outdoor playground that’s already become a favourite spot for children.

This incredible milestone was made possible through the generosity of our donors, volunteers, and our forever and founding partner, McDonald’s. Thanks to their support, we can now serve more families each year who must travel to Calgary for specialized pediatric care.

Family Suite

For many families, a Ronald McDonald House® is more than just a place to sleep; it’s a home-away-from-home. With an average stay of over 30 nights at Calgary’s Ronald McDonald House®, more than double the national average, we understand families need more than just a room. They need a warm and welcoming space where they can truly rest, recharge, and be together. That’s why we’ve thoughtfully designed the Family Suites with comfort and care in mind. Each suite offers approximately 36.5 square metres of space and features beds, an en suite bathroom with a private water closet, and storage areas, ensuring families have everything they need to feel at ease during their stay.

Take a virtual tour of our new Family Suite

Living Room

The Living Room is a cozy space where families can come together to snuggle up on the sofa for some reading or TV time just as they would in their own homes. Here, parents have a clear line of sight into the Studio, Fitness Centre, and South Playroom, allowing them to keep a comfortable eye on their little ones while enjoying some much-deserved downtime of their own when needed. This space is named in recognition of ARC Resources.

Photo of the Living Room in the Ronald McDonald House

Den

Families visit the Den when they want to get closer. This intimate space is where they can gather in comfort and privacy to reflect on the events of the day, catch up on hugs, or spend time together. Unlike the common areas, the Den is intended for the more personal moments of a family’s day at the Ronald McDonald House®. This space is named in recognition of the Rose Family.

Photo of the Den in the Ronald McDonald House

Studio

Designed to be flexible, the Studio is an inviting space for activities, programs, and meetings. Here, children can work on homework alongside new furry friends during our pet therapy sessions. It’s also where we host collaborative programs such as craft, movie, and bingo nights. In an effort to make the Ronald McDonald House welcoming for all families, the Studio has been designed with the appropriate air circulation to accommodate smudging ceremonies. This space is named in recognition of the CREB® REALTOR® Community Foundation.

Photo of the Studio in the Ronald McDonald House

Family Services Lounge

With warmth and compassion, the Family Services Lounge has been designed to make families feel at home the moment they walk through our doors. Here, they can connect with our dedicated team members, who are always ready to provide the information, advice, and support they need to make their stay as comfortable and convenient as possible. The Quilt Cupboard resides within this space to show families the community is thinking of them. This space is named in recognition of Glen & Erin Rumpel." Add Image of Family Service Lounge

Photo of the Family Services Lounge in the Ronald McDonald House

Rec Room

The Rec Room has been designed to entertain families with pre-teens and teens. Here, the whole gang can cheer on their favourite sports teams, continue their at-home gaming traditions, or get to know players from the Calgary Flames when they come to visit. Amid the uncertainty of their situations, the Rec Room is where families can continue to create cherished memories and enjoy the simple pleasures that make a family feel whole. This space is named in recognition of Neil and Brandon Maitland.

Photo of the Rec Room in the Ronald McDonald House

South Kitchen

After providing a place to stay, feeding families is the most important and rewarding thing we do. We save families time and money, and allow them to focus on being there for their children. The South Kitchen is fully equipped to meet every family’s needs, featuring a walk-in fridge and freezer, a soup kettle, and a serving station with hot chafing dishes, ensuring all nutritional needs are met. This space hosts our volunteer bakers and Home for Dinner groups, while the North Kitchen is where families can cook their own favourite dishes, bringing a taste of home to their stay. This space is named in recognition of The McCain Foundation.

Photo of the South Kitchen in the Ronald McDonald House

South Playroom

The power of play has a tremendous impact on the spirits of children, especially during times of uncertainty. Our two playrooms are where friendships are formed, laughter is shared, and imaginations are explored. At the end of the day, kids need to be kids, no matter their circumstances. Providing them with a healthy and entertaining distraction from the stresses of their family’s medical realities is not only rewarding but therapeutic. This space is named in recognition of Ovintiv.

Photo of the South Playroom in the Ronald McDonald House

Outdoor Amenities

We know families value the outdoors, which is why it is our privilege to offer access to Rotary Flames Park. This Outdoor Amenities area provides families with the fully accessible Rotary Playground, Lui Family Foundation Amphitheatre, and Mitch Molloy Gazebo, as well as a basketball court, picnic table area, and deck with casual seating for dining, relaxing, and visiting. The area is named in recognition of the Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park, the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown, and the Calgary Flames Foundation.

Photo of the Outdoor Amenities in the Ronald McDonald House

Thank You

On behalf of Ronald McDonald House Alberta, thank you to everyone who helped make Calgary’s expansion a reality. Your time and generosity have ensured more families have the vital opportunity to stay together when helping their children through a serious illness or injury. We would also like to thank our founding and forever partner, McDonald’s, whose unwavering support of our mission continues to raise important awareness of our work. Together, we have all built more than just a house; we’ve built a home.

Campaign Cabinet Members and Volunteers

Lanny McDonald

Honorary Co-Chair

Kevin Lowe

Honorary Co-Chair

Jordan Brown

McDonald’s Operator

Catherine Chow

CIR Realtor

Jason Evanson

CEO, Ronald McDonald House Alberta

Les Gombik

Managing Partner, Caldwell

Jim Kapeluck

Wealth Advisor, Connor Clark & Lunn

David King

Wealth Advisor, Evergreen Wealth Advisory

Denise Kinghorn

CDO, Ronald McDonald House Alberta

Thomas Lui

Executive VP and CFO, Brookfield Properties

Loriana Marcone

Sr Officer, Ronald McDonald House Alberta

Tony Smith

Community Advocate

Mary Storry

Associate Director of Campaigns, Ronald McDonald House Alberta Alberta

Expansion Committee Members and Volunteers

Aristotle Cercado

Facilities Supervisor Calgary House, Ronald McDonald House Alberta

Karen Davis

General Manager Calgary House, Ronald McDonald House Alberta Alberta

Jason Evanson

CEO, Ronald McDonald House Alberta

Kathy Evanson

Manager of Western Canada Project Coordination, G.L. Smith Planning & Design

Thomas Lui

Executive VP and CFO, Brookfield Properties

Natasha Tiemstra

COO, Ronald McDonald House Alberta

If they could
build it, they would.

But Together
We Can.

But Together
We Can.

Denise Kinghorn Chief Development Officer
dkinghorn@rmhcalberta.org