With the determination and efficiency the government sector could only dream of, the Blenheim Health Hub went from desire to reality in under two years.
Announced in November of 2023, the hub’s proponents celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 11. It opens to the public on Sept. 23
The former headquarters for The Andersons, an agri-business company, 2 Hyland Dr. was donated to the Blenheim Medical Health Foundation (BMHF) by Blenheim citizens Peter and Annie Timmermans.
Community support surrounded the project, and not one tax dollar was used in the effort. Between the Timmermans and the Reese Foundation, more than $6 million was donated towards the Hub.
It took $4.5 million in renovations, but the facility is ready for business.
Inside the 26,000-square-foot building are elements of the Chatham-Kent Family Health Team, the new Blenheim Health Hub Pharmacy, the new Health Hub Dental, Circle Health and the Chatham-Kent Mental Health & Trauma Therapy Centre. All in keeping with the concept of integrated referral-based services in the building.
BMHF chair Ed O’Brien said what everyone was able to accomplish in such a short time was incredible.
“It’s great to be in an area with people who are of a like mind, givers in their community of their time, their efforts and their expertise,” he said. “They worked their butts off.”
South Kent Coun. Anthony Ceccacci called the Health Hub a “generational project for our community,” adding its importance cannot be understated.
“We can talk about investments in factories or workplaces, but none of that is possible without health and wellness,” he said. “I have never seen so much support for a project. Everyone in the community is totally excited for this; it’s ground-breaking accessible health care, right here in our small community.”
Darrin Canniff, mayor of Chatham-Kent, credited the volunteers and sponsors who donated to the project for turning it from a dream into a reality.
“The community has stepped up huge. There is not a single government dollar in this,’ he said, as no provincial, federal or municipal funds aided in the Hub’s development. “Thousands of hours of volunteer time went into this. The donors stepping up to help fill a need in our community. This should be an example for all Ontario on what could happen when a community comes together.”
Ceccacci agreed.
“Everyone who had the vision for this needs to be thanked endlessly for their dedication to our community,” he said.
O’Brien said while the doors have opened, the work isn’t done.
“We will not be resting on our accomplishments. We will continue fundraising efforts. There are many things we’d like to grow at this location. We envision more services at this building,” he said.
There is about 5,000 sq. ft. at the Hub still available for lease, and the BMHF team is looking to add to the medical support operations there. Foundation officials said discussions are ongoing for diagnostic imaging and laboratory services to take up some of that space.
