Timmins is ready to turn the hotel into a mental health and addiction treatment center

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The Ramada Inn could become a 100-bed mental health and addiction treatment center with temporary and supportive housing.

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The Cochrane Regional Services Board announced Tuesday, at a web conference that included directors and office managers of community service agencies, that they are purchasing the first hotel to turn it into the Timmins and Area Wellness Center of Excellence (WCE), while waiting for provincial funding.

The Chief Administrative Officer of the CDSB said the facility meets the requirements of what the province calls for Homelessness and Addiction Treatment Centers (HART hubs). On Aug. 20, Health Minister Sylvia Jones announced that the province will invest $378 million in 19 such hubs, and Timmins wants to take action.

If its application is successful, the facility could start operating as soon as the end of January 2025.

If unsuccessful, the CDSB can convert the original hotel into subsidized or affordable housing, or sell it.

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Although the project meets new provincial standards for HART Hubs, planning began in earnest eight months ago. Marks said the province is open to funding sites that will be ready to open in January, 2025.

“Which is good news, considering that would mean there is money in the provincial budget for the current fiscal year,” Marks said. “Part of the reason for developing the partnership and acquiring this site is to be at the front of the line and be able to open before other potential applicants. “

WCE staff may be drawn from the workforce within CDSB-affiliated organizations for the agency.

Those partners are; Mushkegowuk Council, CMH-CT, Urban Indigenous service partners, Family and Children Services of North Eastern Ontario, Kunuwanimano Child and Family Services, Timmins Academic Health Team, Northern College, Monteith Developmental Center and others.

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“We are proud to be a part of this powerful partnership, bringing mental health and addiction services to northeastern Ontario,” said Janis Wabano, Mushkegowuk Council’s director of health. he read a prepared statement in an online publication.

“This partnership marks a significant milestone for our region and community, demonstrating the Mushkegowuk Council’s deep commitment to solving important problems and improving health outcomes.

“The Timmins and Area Wellness Center of Excellence is an important step forward in this project.”

The hotel will remain open until the closing of the final agreement, which will be determined between the current owner and Wyndam Hotels and Resorts.

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It will be a treatment and recovery center whose individual clients will receive their services through referrals from partner organizations, and will be able to visit the site from public access.

Services offered will include mental health and addiction treatment including withdrawal management.

The center won’t accommodate couples or families, but the center’s presence could free up some units for couples or families in other areas of the city, Marks said.

Jean Carrière, director of health and wellness services at CDSB is leading the process of restoring the hotel to its new purpose.

Carrière called the center’s private courtyard, kitchen, dining room and meeting rooms provide a “very nice design,” for the center, adding that the ballroom could also be used.

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Located west of downtown at 1800 Riverside Dr. selected in part because nearby vacant lots can be developed into land-based healing sites or housing.

By helping people with mental health issues and substance abuse avoid living in emergency shelters, the center will be preventing homelessness, Marks said.

This center can also provide storage, services, shops and other activities that need to be done in the area. This idea is in line with the mission of the Vocational Training and Skill Development Department of HART Institutes.

“To be successful, you need a place to live, something to do and someone to love,” Marks said. “I’m not sure we can handle that person.” we love him,’ but at least we could do something else’ by giving people opportunities.”

In accordance with provincial guidelines announced by Health Minister Sylvia Jones, supervised vaccinations and harm reduction equipment will not be provided.

The public is invited to the Ramada Inn ballroom on Monday, Sept. 9 at 6:00 pm, 1800 Riverside Dr. for a meeting and presentation on the project.

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