The new emergency department at the IWK could be a beautiful site to see from the street, when a therapeutic garden covers its rooftop space.

The project, that will be 20,000 square feet, just received a $1.5 million donation from a local family.

The Millers, own a tire company and have a long history with the hospital with family and friends who have worked there over the years.

Corey, who is one of the brothers, tells our newsroom they thought the idea of the garden was wonderful and wanted to get involved.

“We heard about the need to have some sort of outdoor space for its therapeutic qualities when someone is there at the hospital, you know… either taking their first breaths in the world, trying to heal…or taking their last breaths in the world.”

Corey says, in the past, they had made smaller donations to the IWK but this time, were happy to be a part of something this large.

“We have an almost seven-year-old and to have her there in the event, at the unveiling was really neat for us. I don’t think at that age she fully grasps, you know, what it truly means to be able to support the community in this way and how lucky we are able to do this. My hope is that someday she sees this and realizes how important it is to give back to the community.”

Why a therapeutic garden?

Work is currently underway in a multi-million-dollar project to build a new ER at the IWK.

In order to construct the new building, they would have to put it where their play garden is.

CEO of the IWK Foundation, Jennifer Gullivan tell us, that’s when the idea of the rooftop garden was conceived – and she loved it.

“It would be a place where you could do rehab. It could be a place where kids just be kids…they just get to play. It’s also a place where families can go and get some fresh air, and it will be aesthetically beautiful.”

She adds, it will also have an Indigenous feel to it and be a place where staff can just go and take a “breather”.

“What’s magical about this gift and doing this, is, that it’s not a ‘need to have’ per se, but really is because children will always be children, and they happen to have a disease to have gone through trauma or whatever but they’re still a child. The more you can help them be a child and be in that play state, the quicker they heal, the happier they are, the less pressure on their families.”

Gullivan adds, parents are literally living at the hospital when their kids are sick, calling it the worst thing in the world.

“So, at least, if you can go up there and you know, bring a coffee or whatever and sit and just breathe. That alone is going to be huge for families.”

What will it have?

There are about five specific features that the new garden will have, according to a release from the IWK.

They are:

• A designated area for smudging ceremonies.
• A private bereavement area for families to grieve together or take part in important end-of-life traditions.
• Specialized equipment, an accessible swing set and a rubberized track for wheelchair users and patients in Smart Beds.
• Family gathering spaces in a green enriched environment.
• A play hut for indoor activities like crafting and playing games.

The new ER is expected to be finished by late 2026.