Grey Bruce Health Services i is pleased to announce that a location has been selected for a new wellness and treatment centre to support individuals with addictions and mental health issues. The new centre will be located in the former Bayview Public School at 6th Street A East in Owen Sound.
GBHS received funding earlier this year from the Ministry of Health to add 36 beds to serve the growing number of individuals in this region in need of addiction and mental health services.
GBHS has seen a 70 percent increase in the past six years of opioid-related hospitalizations, and Emergency Department visits related to opioid use have tripled.
The former school was permanently closed in 2017, and sold in 2019 by the Bluewater District School Board to local realtor Bill Stobbe for $808,300. He listed it for sale for $1.7 million, and sold it for an undisclosed amount in 2021. The current owner is Heritage Community Living at Lakeview Inc.
The existing nine-bed Withdrawal Management Services building on 9th Avenue in Owen Sound was unable to accommodate such an extensive expansion, and GBHS has been looking for a new location. Renovations at the former school, which has been vandalized and had squatters while it stood empty, will begin shortly, and are expected to take about a year to complete. Although a report from an earlier phase of the process stated Grey Bruce Health Services would be leasing the property, GBHS representatives confirmed that an agreement has been signed to purchase the property when renovations are complete. All services on 9th Avenue will be consolidated into the new location
“Hospitals are not well-suited to the types of care and treatment required by individuals with addictions,” said Gary Sims, President and CEO of Grey Bruce Health Services. “We are excited to open a purpose-built centre, with the right environment, staffing and services under one roof to ensure the best outcomes for clients.”
The wellness centre will provide a safe environment for men and women in need of additional and extended support for their recovery journey. These individuals often struggle with homelessness, unemployment, isolation and access to healthcare. This project is the first of its kind in this area, and will have the capacity to accommodate inpatient and outpatient services.
Clients coming to the wellness centre will be able to start in a withdrawal management program and graduate into relapse prevention therapy. The centre will also offer longer-term treatment and supported living units onsite. This comprehensive approach will include space for Indigenous healing; spiritual care; recreational therapy for group activities; and community partner space.
Community agencies are interested in working with GBHS to support clients with educational and vocational opportunities within the centre. Once further funding is secured, the plan is to add a teaching kitchen and greenhouse to provide life-skills training. Updates on the project will be posted at www.gbhs.on.ca.
source: media release, GBHS
