ROA Studios Inc., an architecture firm based out of Chatham, was named as the lead architect for Bluewater Health’s Community Addictions Hub project build.
The hub will be located in the vacated wing of the hospital that runs along Russell Street and London Road, adjacent to Bluewater Health’s Russell Street building.
The announcement was made following the first meeting of the steering committee, whose members discussed infrastructure design and took a tour where the new facility will be located.
Infrastructure improvement at the site will include the development of a new grade-level entry with a separate and discreet entrance from the main hospital entrance.
ROA Studios Inc. has a wealth of experience in the provincial health care and education sectors, having already worked on five hospices across southwestern Ontario, as well as being the lead architect on the ACCESS Open Minds youth center being built in downtown Sarnia.
“The first floor will be developed into a shared service area, with the second and third levels being redeveloped for programming, client living space, and common areas,” said Paula Reaume-Zimmer, Bluewater Health’s VP of Integrated Services. “The goal of the infrastructure design is to offer a calm and welcoming environment that inspires a therapeutic setting of hope and healing.”
Once the work is completed, the Community Addictions Hub will offer a variety of services for local residents struggling with addiction, including withdrawal management, stabilization and transitional services, outpatient addictions, primary care and clinical space for program, treatment and consultations with community partners.
Earlier in the year, Bluewater Health received a $12-million grant to wards the capital project for a Community Addictions Hub. Construction on the facility is expected to take from two to three years.
The steering committee is currently engaging residents about the infrastructure design of the hub. Focus groups will take place seeking feedback from active withdrawal management clients, people with lived experience, mental health and addictions hospital and community staff as well as other community stakeholders.
Those interested in participating in a focus group are asked to contact [email protected].