Brandon Clinic unveils new Smilezones

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This article was published 18/06/2025 (339 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon Clinic has opened two newly designed Smilezone spaces — bright, welcoming areas created to uplift the spirits of children and families navigating medical care.

Located in the clinic’s main lobby and in the concourse near the newly built pediatric station, the initiative was made possible through the support of local Tim Hortons owners in Brandon, particularly from the Pardy and Crisanti families, and funded in part by proceeds from the community’s participation in the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign.

The Smilezones will serve all of southwestern Manitoba by making the clinical experience more joyful, the clinic’s chief executive officer, Darcy Bell, told the Sun after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday morning.

“Health care can be tough for both staff and patients. To have spaces that bring genuine joy, where you see people smiling in a clinic setting, is amazing,” he said.

“The Smilezones lift everyone’s spirits. It’s been great for staff morale too and even helped in recruitment — people see the community’s commitment to health care here.”

Bell described the Smilezone in the main lobby as a “two-storey space filled with natural light, local artwork and stunning murals that light up the windows even at night.”

The second Smilezone, he noted, “runs along the concourse by the new pediatric station and features interactive touchless games, colourful murals and a hockey-themed section that lights up the kids’ faces.”

The journey started with a Smilezone at Brandon Regional Health Centre, Rhonda Pardy, co-owner of six Tim Hortons restaurants in Brandon, told the Sun on Wednesday.

“I later donated a Smilezone in memory of my late husband in Newfoundland. Now, I’m proud to bring another one here to Brandon,” she said.

Pardy estimates that the Brandon Clinic project cost around $75,000, although she emphasized its true value far exceeds the dollar amount.

“This changes how children and families feel while they wait. It makes the wait less scary, the visit more enjoyable and gives our hard-working staff a brighter space to be in,” she said. “It’s a lasting gift from our community to our community.”

Half of this year’s Smile Cookie proceeds funded the project, with the rest going to the Brandon Area Community Foundation.

Smilezone Foundation co-founder Scott Bachly said the organization began in Oakville, Ont., and now spans almost 500 Smilezones across Canada.

“Our motto is simple: Every child deserves a smile,” Bachly told the Sun. “We don’t change how children are treated medically, but we do transform the space around them. And that makes a real difference. Brandon, you’re lucky to have leaders like Rhonda — this project wouldn’t have happened without her and the support of local Tim Hortons teams.”

Bachly noted the local connection was particularly special, as his Ontario neighbours originally hailed from Brandon and had advocated for Smilezone’s presence here.

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett praised the community-mindedness behind the initiative.

“We’re fortunate to have business leaders like Rhonda who continually give back. Smilezones may seem like a small gesture, but they make a big difference, especially in health-care settings where kids are facing challenges,” Fawcett said.

Brandon West MLA Wayne Balcaen added his appreciation during the ceremony.

“These spaces will bring comfort and joy to families seeking care,” he said. “It’s a beautiful addition not just to the Brandon Clinic, but to the lives of all the children who walk through its doors.”

The new Smilezones, Fawcett said, stand as a vibrant reminder of what community, compassion and creativity can achieve when combined, and their impact is already being felt.

Pardy added, “Everybody comes to this clinic at some point. And now, thanks to all of us, thanks to every cookie bought and every dollar raised, there’s something here that says: you’re not alone, and there’s still joy to be found, even in hard times.”

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