A brand new treatment centre for children with specialized needs broke ground in Chatham-Kent this week.

The 58,000‐square‐foot, fully accessible building will replace the existing site to reduce wait times and offer a larger space for autism services, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, audiology, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, specialized rehabilitation and respite supports, and coordinating care for those with multiple and/or complex special needs.

The current facility serves about 3,700 children and youth with special needs.

Ontario recently invested $59 million into the $66-million project. “With our vision of Amazing Kids Today, Enriching our Community Tomorrow, this significant provincial investment will meet the needs of our Chatham-Kent children, youth and families with physical, developmental and communication needs,” said Donna Litwin-Makey, the treatment centre’s current CEO.