Initial Phase of Construction Begins at Grand Falls-Windsor Youth Treatment Centre

Site preparation is now underway for the construction of a new residential treatment centre in Grand Falls-Windsor that will serve children and youth with addictions issues.

“I am pleased to see the construction of this much needed treatment centre for youth with addictions move forward,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services. “This facility will provide quality programs and services to youth with addictions, and it will also allow individuals to avail of this specialized treatment closer to home. Mental health and addictions is a priority for our government and we are committed to strengthening services throughout the province.”

The tender for the first phase of construction, valued at $386,000, has been awarded to Adams Construction. Work will include clearing and grubbing, site excavation, the extension of municipal sanitary sewer services to the site and backfilling to level the site with materials suitable for further construction. This phase of construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2011. The centre will be located in Grand Falls-Windsor, south of the Trans Canada Highway at the intersection with Lincoln Road. Further tenders will be announced for the main building at a later date.

“Our government is aware of the profound effect that mental health and addictions issues have on individuals, families and our communities,” said Minister Sullivan. “Over the past two years the Provincial Government has invested $15.9 million in mental health and addictions services to increase awareness and ensure that these services are strengthened in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

In addition to the planning and development of the residential treatment centre for youth in Grand Falls-Windsor, investments have been made to develop a treatment centre for youth with complex mental health needs; plan for the replacement of the Waterford hospital in St. John’s with a new, modern mental health facility; continue planning and development of a new adult addictions treatment centre in Harbour Grace; enhance child psychiatry services; and, increase rural capacity through the addition of mental health and addictions staff in rural areas of the province.

Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador included a total investment of $272.2 million for health care infrastructure throughout the province, which includes $200.6 million for new and continuing construction and redevelopment projects, $50 million for new equipment and $21.6 million for repairs and renovations.

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Media contact:
Jennifer Tulk
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 699-6524
jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca

2011 11 04             11:00 a.m.