Steering Committee Holds Kick-Off Meeting to Mark Next Phase of the Project
SARNIA & PETROLIA – August 18, 2022 – Bluewater Health has named ROA Studio Inc., an Architecture Firm based out of Chatham, as the lead architect on the Community Addictions Hub project build. This exciting next phase of the project was marked by a Steering Committee kick-off meeting where early discussions around infrastructure design and a tour of the future facility were held.
ROA Studio Inc. has extensive experience in the provincial healthcare and education sector, having worked on five hospices across Southwestern Ontario. This firm is also the leading architect on the ACCESS Open Minds downtown Sarnia site – a co-created space set to open late 2022 that will facilitate quick access to mental health and addictions education, assessments, counselling and treatment for youth aged 11-25.
The future site of Bluewater Health’s Community Addictions Hub will be located in the currently vacated wing that runs along Russell St. and London Road, adjacent to Bluewater Health’s Russell St. building. Infrastructure development will include the development of a new grade-level entry, with a separate and discreet entrance from the main hospital entrance. “The first floor will be developed into a shared service area, with the second and third levels being redeveloped for programming, client living space, and common areas,” says Paula Reaume-Zimmer, VP of Integrated Services. “The goal of the infrastructure design is to offer a calm and welcoming environment that inspires a therapeutic setting of hope and healing.”
Once built, the Community Addictions Hub will offer a comprehensive suite of services for local residents struggling with addiction. The model will focus on those best-practice approaches that have demonstrated high recovery rates. These services will include withdrawal management, stabilization and transitional services, outpatient addictions, primary care, and clinical space for program, treatment, and consultations with community partners.
Bluewater Health and the Community Addictions Hub Capital Plan Steering Committee is currently undergoing engagement on the infrastructure design of the future Community Addictions Hub. Focus groups will take place in the fall seeking feedback from active withdrawal management clients, people with lived experience, mental health & addictions hospital and community staff, and other key community stakeholders. If you are interested in participating in these focus groups, please reach out to communications@bluewaterhealth.ca
Earlier this year, Bluewater Health was granted $12M towards the Capital Project for a Community Addictions Hub in Sarnia-Lambton. Construction on the project is anticipated to take two to three years to complete.
ABOUT BLUEWATER HEALTH
Bluewater Health, with locations in Sarnia and Petrolia, cares for the approximately 131,000 residents of Sarnia-Lambton. With close to 2,500 staff, Professional Staff and volunteers, Bluewater Health provides an array of specialized acute, complex continuing care, allied health and ambulatory care services. For more information about Bluewater Health, visit bluewaterhealth.ca or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter, and YouTube.