A project that will benefit East Kootenay children is one step closer to becoming a reality.

The proposed Kootenay Child Health and Development Centre (KCHDC) is a project that will bring a whole range of children’s services under one roof. Services provided will include infant development consultants, occupational and physical therapists, and teleconferencing facilities.

Gwen Noble, Executive Director, Community Connections Society of Southeast B.C., said the KCHDC will be located in a 13,000 square foot building located in Cranbrook’s downtown core. She said the new facility will be a hub of co-located health and development services that will be in a central location and easily accessible.

“We applied for different sources of funding for this project,” said Noble, adding, “We received $50,000 from Columbia Basin Trust, $5,000 from Children First and we have confirmed that we will receive $53,000 from Child Health BC for tele-health equipment.”

She explained that the tele-health equipment will act as a tool for people to receive training through the facility.

“We have also applied to the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) for funding to cover construction costs, but we are still waiting. We were hoping it would come sooner and that would get us into the building.”

Noble said that the Community Connections Society will do fundraising for the rest of the money they need, but they are still hoping to receive the CAF funds

Noble said the new centre will reduce the current fragmentation of services and make it easier for families to access health and development services closer to home.

“It is in a central place and will have a large area for assessments as well.”

“This is a wonderful concept that is badly needed in the Kootenays,” said MLA Columbia River Revelstoke, Norm Macdonald, adding, “I’ve toured the site and viewed the plans and this is a project that will have tremendous value to children from Golden to Elkford.”

The centre is ready to proceed with service providers signed on, and operational funding in place, but what is missing is the funding that will complete the renovations on the building.

“I met with many of the partners and with a member of the fundraising team. This is a somewhat unusual situation in that most often projects are delayed because they cannot secure operational funding. This is completely different. The only thing holding up this project is the initial funding for renovations,” said Macdonald.

As a former educator and principal, Macdonald said he knows well the importance of providing child health and development services within our region.  

Currently, children in the area are referred to Calgary, Kelowna and Vancouver.

“We need to do what is best for our kids.  We need to ensure that they get the best start possible.  And we need to ensure that the care they need is available within our own region.”

Anyone interested in learning more or wishing to make a donation, can contact Gwen Noble at 250-426-2976.

Kootenay Child Health and Development Centre will house:

Pediatricians (2)

Pediatric therapies (occupational therapist and physical therapist)

Interior Health Children’s Assessment Network

Ministry of Child & Family Development social worker

Aboriginal services

Infant mental health

Behavioural support services

Children First Program

East Kootenay infant development program

East Kootenay supported development program

East Kootenay Childcare and Resource Referral

East Kootenay Friends of Children

FASD and autism services

Kids Connection Pre school

Tele-health teleconferencing

Toy and equipment lending library

Office space for visiting professionals