The Meridian Source looks back at events in September 2025.
From Heartbreak to Healing: coming together to support loss
A single birthday balloon blew in the wind in Vermilion Provincial Park, marking a grim anniversary and a beacon of light for the future at the inaugural From Heartbreak to Healing memorial walk and run.
“Kayde was our son who was stillborn in 2022 after a uterine rupture,” said Alexa Conlon, founder and co-ordinator of the The Kayde Foundation on Sept. 21.
“We were really searching for a way to keep his legacy alive and continue saying his name. We had no support, so we lost him and it just wasn’t OK with me that people had to go through this without support.
“So, it’s actually my son’s third birthday today.”
The birthday anniversary ushered in an event aimed at raising awareness and helping people who have experienced loss to heal.
“Prenatal loss support services, infertility, child loss, miscarriage, all of the losses. There’s space for you here,” said Conlon.
Despite being the first year of the memorial and awareness walk and run, support from the public saw more than 200 people preregister.
“It’s been very well-received, I’ve had people reach out, saying for the first time people are talking about their losses and saying their baby’s names,” said Conlon. “Even if that’s the only thing we do, that’s good enough for me. Every year, we’ll have our walk and run. It’s for awareness, for education, a safe space to feel all of the emotions and be with a ton of people who get it.”
The event saw speakers welcome guests and talk about what the event was all about, followed by a walk and run, then lunch and plenty of activities for kids and adults.
“We have different vendors that support grief,” said Conlon.
“There’s a wall of remembrance, a chance to say your baby’s name. We’re going to have VIBE (Vermilion Is Being Empowered) here for games for the kids, balloon animals, glitter tattooes, a barbecue and just time for connection.”
Energy Hub opens to user groups
The City of Lloydminster opened the doors to the new Cenovus Energy Hub to select user groups in early September.
The Cenovus Energy Hub, which is slated for a grand opening on Oct. 1, is nearing the end of construction and will soon be in full operation.
Teams from Lloydminster Minor Hockey Association, Lloydminster Athletics, Lakeland College, the Lloydminster Skating Club and the Lloydminster Bobcats were welcomed into the new arena on Sept. 6.
“While the official celebration is yet to come, we are thrilled to open the doors of Cenovus Energy Hub and begin welcoming teams into this long-anticipated space,” said Tracy Simpson, the city’s executive manager of community development services.
“This soft launch gives user groups early access to familiarize themselves with the building while we prepare to welcome the entire community to see and explore the building during the grand opening in October.”
Dialysis unit opens in Lloyd
The Lloydminster Hemodialysis Unit officially opened its doors on Sept. 16, bringing to fruition a $6.4-million project that took over a decade to complete.
The new dialysis unit, located at the Community Services Building at 3830 43 Ave., is currently operating six stations Monday through Saturday, up from five at the hospital.
An expansion to all nine stations will open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays later this fall as new staff come on board. The unit will also add time slots as patient demand grows.
Hemodialysis filters toxins and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are unable to function properly. Treatments last around four hours and are often needed three times a week.
Alberta Kidney Care–North delivered more than 185,000 hemodialysis treatments in our region last year. They also offer peritoneal dialysis, home hemodialysis and conservative care for patients who might not tolerate dialysis.
Lloydminster health-care facilities receive $9M upgrades
Lloydminster health-care facilities are undergoing major renovations, with plans for further upgrades in the coming year, thanks to provincial funding.
The Lloydminster Hospital will see a $7.9-million renovation for a new dialysis unit and new surgical equipment, courtesy of the governments of Saskatchewan and Alberta.
The Saskatchewan government is investing $9 million in infrastructure projects at the Lloydminster Hospital, Prairie North Plaza and Jubilee Home.
At the hospital, completed work includes elevator and oxygen tank upgrades and new chillers to regulate temperatures for medical equipment and patient comfort.
Planned projects include exterior upgrades (spring 2026), parking lot and loading dock repairs, a bariatric room renovation and a new healing space.
Prairie North Plaza received $345,000 for heating, cooling and ventilation improvements, with further rooftop and freight elevator work coming. Jubilee Home will see $800,000 spent on new boilers.
The province is also providing $342,000 in one-time funding to purchase surgical equipment. This will boost surgical volumes, reducing operating room downtime and improving patient safety.
The funding announcement was made ahead of the Sept. 18 community health meeting at the Legacy Centre.
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