The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) topped off two landmark redevelopment projects at its Queen Street campus: the Temerty Discovery Centre and the Waverley House Secure Care & Recovery Building.
Together, these buildings will support healing, advance world-leading mental health research and discovery, and strengthen CAMH’s connection to the surrounding community.
“We are thrilled to celebrate and recognize the capstone of our historic 20-year campus transformation,” said Sarah Downey, president and CEO of CAMH. “Our campus redevelopment is a key element of our strategic plan, turning what was once a walled institution into a symbol of hope for the future of mental health care in Ontario and Canada. We are deeply grateful to the Ontario Government and our donor community for their bold investments in the future of mental health care, research, innovation, and recovery that made these two buildings possible.”
Spanning 385,000 square feet, the Temerty Discovery Centre will bring together CAMH’s research programs under one roof. The facility will house more than two-thirds of CAMH’s 1,400+ research staff and will expand the capacity by 43 per cent to house new research scientists, staff, students, and trainees. The centre will provide dignified spaces for patients and families to participate in research studies, while its integration with care areas will ensure discoveries are swiftly translated into improved outcomes.
The Waverley House building will replace CAMH’s outdated facilities for patients with complex mental illness who have encountered the legal system. This seven-story, modern building will feature 234 patient beds, clinics for community-based care, recovery-focused therapeutic spaces, and secure outdoor areas for treatment. Patient-centered design and therapeutic innovation will set a new standard for forensic mental health care and recovery.
The Temerty Discovery Centre is named in recognition of a historic $75-million gift from the Temerty Foundation and has been made possible through many donors. This includes major gifts from Orlando Corporation, whose $50-million contribution supported the Centre’s construction, as well as multi-million-dollar gifts from the Koerner Foundation, the Krembil Foundation and others. The Waverley House is named in recognition of historic support totaling $203 million from Bruce McKean and the Waverley House Foundation.
PCL Constructors Canada Inc has been leading the construction component of the project. “From the health care professionals and researchers advancing compassionate recovery and discovery, to the skilled tradespeople on site each day, we recognize and thank everyone who has made this milestone possible,” added Myke Badry, vice president and district manager at PCL.“Together, we are building the future of mental health, ensuring no one is left behind.”
