Canadore: Lakeshore Drive addictions treatment centre still a go

Although an imminent target date provided early on for the potential opening of the Northern Ontario Addictions Treatment Centre of Excellence was a tad optimistic, Canadore College says the project is still a go.

See related: Ontario announces $6.84M for 53 new local addictions treatment beds

In February, MPP Vic Fedeli and Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Michael Tibollo announced $6.84 million in funding through the provincial Addictions Recovery Fund to immediately enhance access to bed-based addictions treatment supports in Nipissing.

The announcement drew much interest and when this summer passed without any visible progress at the chosen site of 352 Lakeshore Drive in North Bay, locals sent emails to BayToday wondering if the project had been abandoned.

Not so, says Canadore.

"There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes. There have been no major delays, but the process takes time. We have completed the City of North Bay’s permit process for this stage of the project, the architect is finalizing the drawings, and a project plan is being completed. Canadore College is looking forward to sharing more information as soon as possible."

The funding for the Northern Ontario Addictions Treatment Centre of Excellence will provide access to a total of 53 new addictions treatment beds, including nine withdrawal management services beds, 24 addictions treatment beds, and 20 supportive treatment beds. According to Canadore, services will be tailored to the needs of each client and will be inclusive to the region’s diverse populations, including francophone and Indigenous peoples.

Canadore will manage the fully-staffed treatment centre and use it as a teaching facility to enhance learning opportunities for its mental health and addictions students. 

"It will be another avenue whereby Canadore can provide experiential learning experiences to students in our multi-disciplined health and wellness programs," said Burton. "They will be able to put what they learn in the classroom into practice, and learn from treatment professionals working in the centre."

In July, Canadore announced Wendy Prieur had been hired as the Director of the Northern Ontario Addictions Treatment Centre of Excellence.

"It is exciting to be helping to build a holistic and inclusive treatment approach from the ground up," stated Prieur then. "The new treatment centre will reduce wait times for treatment, provide different program services for clients based on individual needs, and connect primary care and mental health services with addiction treatment and recovery programs all under one roof."

Prieur has been tasked with completing the design of the new facility, to be located at 352 Lakeshore Drive, and beginning a staff recruitment drive in anticipation of opening the Northern Ontario Addictions Treatment Centre in early 2023. 

"Canadore College is happy to be leading the development of much-needed addiction treatment programs," said President and CEO George Burton, in welcoming Prieur. "The Northern Ontario Addictions Treatment Centre will be a significant tool for the region as it comes to grips with the growing issue of addictions, and Wendy is just the person to lead the project.

The treatment centre will be located on the property of the former Farquhar car dealership on Lakeshore Drive. Officials say these new beds will help hundreds of Ontarians in Nipissing and the surrounding region access specialized addictions treatment, including access to culturally sensitive supports for Indigenous clients.

Speaking at the initial funding announcement, North Bay Police Chief Scott Tod said he and NBPS are pleased to support the project. 

"As police, we are faced daily with the devastating impact drug abuse and addiction has on individual lives and the ripple effects of crime and social disorder that addiction causes in communities across Ontario. We also know that, as police, we need the collaboration of our community partners to provide an effective, holistic response to the crisis of drug addiction. I am encouraged to see this investment in bed-based addiction treatment services for North Bay that will help address the needs of some of our community’s most vulnerable."