Oil country came to Central Alberta this week with the unveiling of a newly renovated patient room on the pediatrics unit at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Tuesday.

The room is referred to as the ‘Oilers Suite’, due to the large images of Oilers players on the walls, as well as the arena boards surrounding the room that came from the Oilers’ stadium still clad with puck marks and scuffs.

Aside from having new beds and state-of-the-art heart rate monitors, the room also has floor to ceiling separation curtains to provide a higher level of privacy to the kids in the suite and their visiting families.

The suite was paid for by donations from the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation through their participation in the Love of Children Golf Classic, held annually in June and organized by the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation.

Jacqueline Brooks, executive director of the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, explained that the room is designed to uplift the children who stay there as well as be a fun place to hang out in the midst of their pain.

“Since the Golf Classic’s inception in 2006, nearly $2 million has been raised for the pediatric unit,” said Brooks. “The Love of Children Committee focuses funding on enhancing patient care with items not funded by the government or where there is a desperate and urgent need.”

In past years, the funds have gone to the purchasing of fetal heart monitors, patient beds, cardiac monitors and an infant care centre.

In 2010 the funds were designated to the development of a new common play area, a teen recreation room, complete with modern gaming console such as play stations and Xboxes, and the creation of a donor wall.

This year the funds went to the completion of the Oilers suite, where one patient is enjoying his time.

For Kaiden Eadie, 15, who broke his foot during a football practice for the Rimbey Senior High School, the Oilers Suite is a welcomed change.

Kaiden’s mother, Rolanda Eadie explains that he is a huge Oilers fan and although he is soon to undergo surgery for his broken foot he is very much enjoying his stay thus far.

The room wouldn’t be complete without a portable Wii that is made by Starlight, to be easily disinfected and easily accessible to patients in the Oilers Suite.

With the suite being the most recent and welcome addition to the unit, soon to come will be the Care by Parent Suite that is being sponsored by the Kinsmen Club of Red Deer.

This suite features three separate bedrooms and a common kitchen that will allow parents to remain in the unit with their child until they are able to return home.

jswan@reddeerexpress.com