Architectural plans are now being developed for Sarnia-Lambton’s future community addictions hub.
Bluewater Health held several in-person engagements with various groups throughout the month of September, in order to gain feedback on programming and space design.
The hospital has now published a summary report of the feedback and said it will help advance the project through the planning phase.
Director of Mental Health and Addictions Donna Morreau said active clients, people with lived experience, Indigenous communities, community partners, people experiencing homelessness and elected officials were among those consulted.
"We've consolidated all of the feedback and have discussed with the architect some of those key messages that we heard throughout the surveys and in public sessions," said Morreau.
A non-clinical environment with colourful and bright spaces, lots of windows and access to outside space is recommended.
"We've just given the feedback to the architect this week and we're hoping that within the next couple of months the plans will be reviewed."
Private spaces and entrances, plants and incorporating Indigenous artwork and murals is also proposed.
Morreau said they've yet to reach out to an Indigenous artist.
"But, we did just complete an Indigenous mural here on the sixth floor of the Russell Street building here at Bluewater Health, and we will look to follow with those same themes going forward."
The centre will include a 24-bed facility and be located in the currently vacated wing that runs along Russell Street and London Road, adjacent to the Russell Street building.
The hub is expected to take two to three years to complete and will include withdrawal management, stabilization and transitional services, outpatient addictions, primary care, and clinical space for programs and treatment.
