Sarnia's planned youth mental health facility could finally be up and running next month, nearly three years after it was originally set to open.
Plans for the site, located at 190 Front St., were unveiled in December 2019 with a targeted grand opening of September 2020.
Bluewater Health Foundation Executive Director Kathy Alexander said the pandemic certainly had a significant delay with the progression of the construction, and it also had some increased pressures with construction costs.
"Youth Wellness Hub Ontario (YWHO) Sarnia-Lambton, [formerly known as ACCESS Open Minds Sarnia-Lambton], is one of the first sites built and fully funded through philanthropy and community support, so we were able to raise $3 million," she said. "When we started this project, the fundraising goal was quite a bit lower, but as we all know costs have increased throughout the pandemic and since, and that did put some extra pressure on us in respect to fundraising."
The facility has been developed as a go-to destination for youth aged 11 to 25 and their families who are seeking fast access to education, assessments, counselling and treatment.
Alexander said those involved in the project have noticed an increase with respect to youth mental health care and treatment.
"We know that this is something that the hospital and the community agencies are continuing to operate overcapacity with respect to youth mental health care and treatment and assessment," she said. "And we know that something like YWHO is so important because early intervention and easy access to that care is essential."
Alexander said work at the site is progressing incredibly well and that they're very excited to be approaching the finish line.
She added that when the doors open, there won't be any shortage of demand for service.
"I think a lot of it will depend on word-of-mouth and making sure that people in the community are aware that YWHO Sarnia-Lambton site is open for business," she said. "And also the incredible support of that partnership and its stakeholders in our community, letting youth and their families know that the services are available and we know that it's needed now more than ever."
"So with that funding comes a name change: Youth Wellness Hub Ontario Sarnia-Lambton, and we are very, very excited for the community to come in and see it when we open the doors and cut that ribbon," she said.
With files from Josh Boyce