BOISE, Idaho — Exactly one year after breaking ground, the new Ronald McDonald House in Boise is officially open. Around 500 donors helped the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho reach their goal of $15.3 million dollars to help with construction.
The old house had only 17 rooms but the one is a lot more spacious with 47 rooms. It also has four kitchens, a game room and a playroom for kids.
Officials say it now will be able to support more than three times as many families as the old house did.
“We’re going from a building, parts of it are a hundred years old, into a brand new clean, beautiful warm welcoming space and we’re kind of excited about that,” said Mindy Plumlee, executive director, Ronald McDonald House Idaho.
Last year, Ronald McDonald House operators say they had to turn away about 170 families because of the cramped quarters. The new house is right next to the old one on Warm Springs Avenue and is still owned by St. Luke's.
An official ribbon cutting is scheduled to be held this weekend.
