It’s all about the kids, inside and out.
The new Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent (CTCCK) received the final instalment from Chatham Rotary recently – $80,000 of its $250,000 pledge – with the focus on the outdoors. Specifically, an accessible playground.
Tania Sharpe, outgoing Rotary president, said the club is proud to be involved in the new build, which will double the size of the centre.
“It’s a significant project. As always, the Rotary Club of Chatham likes to be front and centre supporting the community,” she said. “What better way to support our community than supporting our kids, who are our future?”
Donna Litwin-Mackey, executive director of the CTCCK and incoming president for the Rotary Club of Chatham, said donations such as what the Rotary Club has committed to the centre’s project turned heads, including in Toronto.
“I think it (community commitment) is what led to the ministry funding our project. They could show that was evidence of the community support,” she said.
The playground commitment will be appreciated by local families, Litwin-Makey said.
“For this exact project, our outdoor play space is something we wanted to do more of, and a better job of, and have way more opportunities,” she said. “We worked with youth and families and they had a lot of input. They really want true accessibility. It can be out of reach when you’re doing a backyard playground. So this will be their spot to come and have fun and have way more options for kids of all diff types of needs.”
Inside, the new 55,000 sq. ft. building essentially doubles the space of the old treatment centre.
The need is there.
“One in five children in Chatham-Kent depends on CTC’s services,” said Mike Genge, CTCCK Foundation president. “And the completed Rotary contribution signifies more than financial support – it embodies hope and connection for the children we serve.”
Completion date for the new facility is not set in stone as of yet, but Litwin-Makey said it will be move-in ready sometime next year.
