Board plans to buy Ramada Inn in Timmins to turn it into a Health Hub

The Cochrane District Services Board has a vision to turn the Ramada Inn, located in the west end of Timmins, into a Health Hub.

The facility would help address the escalating mental health and addiction crisis in northeastern Ontario.

"The timing is just coincidental that we were tabling this at the AMO conference for provincial investment and they announced their health hubs, which is, you know, strikingly similar to what we've proposed," said Brian Marks, chief administrative officer for Cochrane District Services Board.

"So we're hoping it gives us a leg up on that funding, but this is just something that's needed."

Marks said the Health Hub will deliver an array of services in one location and provide a safety net for people grappling with complex mental health, addiction and housing challenges.

"The idea here is to leverage the right partners in the facility to be able to deliver the services regardless of what the need might be, which hopefully creates the foundation from which people can be successful," said Marks.

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The new Timmins and Area Wellness Centre of Excellence is a result of collaboration including the Mushkegowuk Council, Canadian Mental Health Association, Timmins and District Hospital, among other key community partners.

Marks said, ideally, it would open sometime early next year.

He assured the public it will not be an emergency shelter, nor a safe consumption site. It would be secure and staffed around the clock.