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Sudbury Children’s Treatment Centre moving to Southridge Mall

Relocation will make room for 52 new beds at Health Sciences North
211020_LG_Childrens Treatment PHOTO
With the Children’s Treatment Centre at Health Sciences North moving out to the Southridge Mall, the existing space will be renovated for the creation of 52 new hospital beds. (Len Gillis / Sudbury.Com)

Sudbury's Children's Treatment Centre will be moving from Health Sciences North (HSN) to the Southridge Mall.  The move is part of the recently announced plan to expand the hospital's capacity by adding 52 new beds.

The Ontario government announced Thursday it will provide the funding to support the relocation. The cost of the move has not yet been announced, nor has the cost of the renovations to create new beds spaces. A government news release said estimates and tenders have not yet been carried out.

HSN said the move to the Southridge Mall will take over the large open space formerly occupied by the Treasure Hunt retail store.  The space will be specifically redesigned for rehabilitation services to support children and youth experiencing challenges with their motor skills, mobility and communication development.

“It was important for us to consult with families, staff and partners at every stage of the planning process and we will continue to work with them to ensure a smooth transition to the new site and minimize any disruption to services or treatment,” said Dominic Giroux, President and CEO of Health Sciences North. 

Giroux said it was exciting news for youngsters and their families and he mentioned his thanks to Todd Smith, Ontario Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. Renovations should be completed by the summer of 2021. 

Minister Smith said the new location would provide more space. 

"This investment will support Northern Ontario families and children with special needs by addressing the unique challenges they face. The new custom-built site will provide a larger space for therapy and activity while continuing to offer the range of vital services and programs needed to support a child's ability to participate as fully as possible at home, in school and in the community."

The Southridge Mall site will house several programs and rehabilitation services in one place. The centre will continue to provide community-based and school-based rehabilitation services to support children and youth, said a ministry news release. The new site was unanimously recommended by Health Sciences North's Transition Planning Steering Committee. The committee includes parent advisory members, school board representatives and other community partners.

Natalie Kennedy, Administrative Director for NEO Kids and Family Programs at HSN said she too is pleased with the new site. 

“We will have a larger gym and additional therapy space. It will also be custom designed with input received from our patients and families including artwork featuring plants and animals native to Northern Ontario," she said. 

Kennedy added there will be a uniquely colourful wayfinding solution inspired by the rainbow-coloured homes and buildings reminiscent of the East Coast of Canada. 

The relocation announcement is also regarded as welcome news for Nick Larochelle, President of the United Steelworkers Local 6500 in Sudbury. He said USW members contributed financial support for years, raising more than half a million dollars. 

The union had a campaign from 2003 to 2012 where one penny from every hour worked by a USW Local 6500 member was set aside in support of the centre.

“The United Steelworkers Local 6500 are long-time supporters of the Children’s Treatment Centre and we participated in the initial effort to get this great facility located here in Sudbury,” said Larochelle. 

“On behalf of USW Local 6500, let me say how excited we are for the announcement of this new location. Today’s news is a win-win for the children and their families of the CTC, as well as for the patients and families of HSN from across Northeastern Ontario.”


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