New child and family centre opens in Timmins’ east end

Child and family centre opens in Timmins An EarlON Child and Family Centre has been established within Spruce Hill Lodge, a non-profit retirement home for seniors.

Families and caregivers in Timmins have a new place to bring young children. An EarlON Child and Family Centre has been established within Spruce Hill Lodge, a non-profit retirement home for seniors.

Officials said the new centre in South Porcupine -- in the east end of Timmins -- had been three years in the making.

"We knew the east end of the community had a lot of residents that were using our early on services within coming travelling to the core of Timmins," said Shannon Costello, director of children’s services for Cochrane District Services Board.

"They were asking for a centre of their own in the east end, but we needed to wait for the perfect place."

Andrea Lauzon, program manager for EarlyON Centres in the Cochrane District, said putting the centre in Spruce Hill Lodge offers unique opportunities for intergenerational programming.

"We just had our first programing last week and we made apple crisp and ice cream in a bag," said Lauzon.

"We do have a plan for a variety of different activities to do with the seniors -- whether it's music and movement, crafts -- and we've also talked to the seniors to get a feel for the types of things that they're interested in."

The centre is open daily throughout the week and will also offer some evening and weekend hours.

Children from birth to six years of age and their caregivers are welcome to drop in, even during the lunch hour.