ErinoakKids celebrates the official opening of its new Halton location

New centre is part of the largest redevelopment project in the Ministry's history

OAKVILLE, ON, April 13, 2018 /CNW/ - ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development officially marked the opening of its new Halton facility today. Designed to be a model for all future children's treatment centres in Canada, the new state-of-the-art facility brings therapy, medical and support services under one roof for children and youth with disabilities and special needs.

"This new building represents a significant investment in our community and the work we do to support families and their children," says ErinoakKids President and CEO Bridget Fewtrell. "Today, our clients are receiving the services they need in a single location while benefitting from new spaces and expanded services and programs designed specifically to support their learning and development so that they can pursue their dreams."

Located at 2000 Glenorchy Rd., the new 79,000 square foot facility is part of a multi-site project supported by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services that replaced 10 outgrown and rented facilities with three new buildings – one in Halton, another in Mississauga and a third in Brampton.

The ErinoakKids project is the largest in the history of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and the first multi-site build of a children's treatment centre in the province. The Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, government officials, dignitaries, clients, and families were on hand for the official opening.

"When children or youth with special needs get access to the best supports, their well-being and independence skyrocket," says Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. "It's so important that their parents can conveniently access that care when they need it. Our government's investment in ErinoakKids' three new, state-of-the-art facilities in Oakville, Mississauga and Brampton is about getting families the right care where and when they need it. It's making it easier for families to access the excellent support ErinoakKids provides to thousands of children and families every year."

Minister of Children and Youth Services Michael Coteau also praised the organization's new spaces.

"ErinoakKids is dedicated to providing quality care to young people with special needs, and I'm thrilled to be here today to announce an investment into building and refurbishing its spaces. An investment into these sites is an investment into helping continue to provide families with strong and consistent care, and helping young people thrive."

The new Halton facility boasts a gym, climbing wall, a fully accessible outdoor playground for recreation therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, three exterior therapeutic spaces, an adapted fitness facility, and a family resource centre. The site also houses unique features, including a kitchen and laundry where clients can develop skills for independent living, and a controlled multisensory Snoezelen room to help reduce aggression and anxiety in children with autism and developmental disabilities.

"The opening of today's Halton facility is the culmination of a long journey that began 10 years ago with a vision of providing much-needed care and resources under one roof," says Chair of ErinoakKids Board of Directors James Sutherland. "This new space is vital in ensuring thousands of children and youth access services in their home communities and grow up to be successful, contributing members of society."

ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development is Ontario's largest children's treatment centre, serving more than 16,000 children and youth annually who have physical and developmental disabilities, autism, communication disorders, blindness/low vision and hearing loss. Serving Halton, Peel and Dufferin County, our mission is to help our clients achieve optimal levels of independence, learning, health and well-being. For more information about ErinoakKids, please visit www.ErinoakKids.ca.

SOURCE ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development

Kim Lizmore-Campbell, Calador Communications Inc., (416)-925-6034 x 23, [email protected]