November 6, 2025
The Spirit Cottage by Hans Kraus Family & Qualico recently celebrated 10 years as a fully accessible retreat, providing refuge and relaxation for people supported by St.Amant and their loved ones.
Located on the quiet riverbank behind St.Amant, the Spirit Cottage offers a sense of serenity and connection. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful view of the Red River, explore the surrounding trails, or simply take in the sounds of nature from the spacious veranda. It’s a space that encourages rest, laughter, and belonging.
The four-season cottage is equipped with lifts, a wheelchair ramp, three bedrooms, and all the amenities needed for a memorable weekend getaway, including an in-ground pool, pool house, fire pit, and generous decking.
As part of St.Amant’s ongoing work to share the experiences of the people we support, Communications team member Meaghan met with several guests who have stayed at the Spirit Cottage. Their stories show why this fully accessible retreat continues to inspire stories of birthday parties, staycations, and the simple joy of embracing a home away from home.
For Roger and his support worker Daniela Antoine, the Spirit Cottage has become a special place, somewhere to celebrate milestones like birthdays or to enjoy a well-deserved change of scenery.
“Roger likes to spend time outside and watch the bunnies and the deer,” Daniela shared. “He really loves sitting in the sunshine.”
They often stay for three nights at a time, enjoying the cottage’s comfortable interior and accessible design. For Roger, these stays are more than just vacations, they’re an opportunity to relax and reconnect.
“It’s often a challenge finding a flight or a hotel that is accessible for people with disabilities,” Daniela explained. “Having the Spirit Cottage gives people like Roger a chance to get away, to see something new, to feel free. It brightens his day.”
When Bobbi Lyn turned 50, she knew exactly where she wanted to celebrate. Bobbi Lyn’s friends and family gathered at the Spirit Cottage to celebrate her milestone birthday.
“It was fun,” she said with a smile, recalling the day filled with laughter, cake, and visits from her support team. Bobbi’s support worker, Tara, shared that accessibility played a huge role in the choice of location. Bobbi’s mother, who is in her nineties, has trouble with stairs , so the cottage was the perfect place for everyone could gather comfortably.
“It’s a really special place for people to celebrate,” Tara shared. “Some people we support find large crowds at home overwhelming. The cottage gives them a calm space where everyone feels included. It’s big, welcoming, and set up for everyone’s comfort.”
What began as a birthday celebration has turned into a yearly tradition. Bobbi and her team plan to come back for an end-of-summer barbecue, with a campfire, s’mores, and plenty of laughter under the stars.
“It’s a place for everyone,” Tara said. “When we go there, it feels like a break for us, too. Like a little vacation that refreshes everyone.”
For Kelly and his mom, Yvonne, the Spirit Cottage holds a special place in their hearts. They’ve used it for family gatherings and even celebrated Kelly’s 50th birthday there, surrounded by friends and relatives.
“It’s an ideal spot,” Yvonne said. “It’s so spacious, the parking is great, and it’s easy for everyone especially seniors or those with mobility needs to get around. You feel peaceful there. It’s like being away from the city.”
One of Yvonne’s fondest memories is watching deer graze quietly near the trees. “It’s such a nice setting. Calm, quiet, and beautiful. It feels like a retreat.”
For more than ten years, the Spirit Cottage has provided more than just a place to stay. It offeres dignity, independence, and inclusion. It’s where families can come together without worry, where people supported by St.Amant can celebrate special moments, and where accessibility is not an afterthought but the very foundation of the experience.
Whether it’s a birthday, a staycation, or simply a peaceful weekend away, the Spirit Cottage continues to embody what St.Amant stands for: community, respect, and belonging for all.
