THUNDER BAY – “Today marks a truly momentous occasion for the Thunder Bay community as we celebrate the first construction milestone of this highly anticipated project that will enhance the delivery of high-quality programs and services for our communities in Thunder Bay and the District. Thank you to everyone involved. Years of planning, hard work and community partnership building are now becoming a reality,” reported Wendy Talbot, CEO, NorWest Community Health Centres.
“NorWest Community Health Centres is a key component of our primary care system in Thunder Bay and district. It has been a pleasure to work with this organization since 2003 and support the great work they do in our communities. Today’s announcement will further enable NorWest Community Health Centres to provide high quality primary care services in our area,” stated Minister Bill Mauro, MPP, Thunder Bay-Atikokan.
Ontario is investing up to $8.4 million for a two-storey expansion of the NorWest Community Health Centres in Thunder Bay to give patients better access to health care closer to home.
This major expansion will allow NorWest to serve more people, and will increase access to community services such as mental health and addictions programs and diabetes education. Patients in Thunder Bay will benefit from new facilities, including:
- 16 exam rooms
- Two chiropody/foot care rooms
- Two large rooms with work stations for the primary care staff
- An education/training room and space for future growth.
Construction at the 525 Simpson Street site in Thunder Bay is now underway and is expected to be complete in fall 2016. What is an exciting addition to this announcement is that the project will be built with wood. This is a part of a new Ontario initiative that allows buildings up to six stories in height to be framed with wood.
“Today marks an important milestone in the expansion of NorWest Community Health Centres’ Thunder Bay site. Once completed, the expanded facility will ensure patients have better access to a number of high-quality health care services in the community and closer to home,” stated Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care who was not able to attend the Thunder Bay event in person.
