Unveiling of site for new Lansdowne Children’s Centre celebrated

The mood was celebratory as the location for Lansdowne Children’s Centre’s new purpose-built children’s treatment centre was unveiled on Aug. 8.

Dignitaries, board members, clients and their families, staff, longtime supporters, and other well-wishers gathered at 168 Colborne Street, the site adjacent to the current location at 39 Mount Pleasant Street, to celebrate the announcement.

Brantford-Brant MPP Dr. Will Bouma

Brantford-Brant MPP Dr. Will Bouma noted that Lansdowne is a regional hub, serving clients from across Grand Erie, including Brantford, and Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk counties.

“The reason that I love Lansdowne so much is because Lansdowne sees the best in everyone. Regardless of where you’re from and what your abilities are, it embodies the best of what our community’s all about,” he said.

Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis noted that “it’s been a long, long road,” to get to this point in the process of a new building for Lansdowne, adding that one of the first things he did when he was elected as mayor was take a tour of Lansdowne.

He praised the dedication of those who had been working on this project behind the scenes for years, in particular Lansdowne Executive Director Rita-Marie Hadley.

Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis

“For those who need the assistance of Lansdowne to make their lives more meaningful, more productive, more happy, this couldn’t be a better announcement,” Davis said.

While officially on vacation, Brant County Mayor David Bailey was also present to offer his best wishes. He shared how he and Hadley had known each other for years through the Rotary Club before he was elected, and even back then, the need for a new building was apparent.

Brant County Mayor David Bailey

“It’s time now to get this thing done,” he said, adding with a smile, “It’s going to be wonderful.”

Ashley Veldkamp, Lansdowne’s new board chair, was joined by her sons, Mason and Easton, as she addressed the audience.

“As a parent, this moment holds deep meaning for me,” she said. “Like so many families in our community, mine has walked through the doors of Lansdowne, not just for therapy or for support, but for hope.”

Veldkamp spoke to the importance of the “trust and collaboration” that Lansdowne had built over the years with those in the government and the community, and how those partnerships were going to make the dream of a new building a reality. 

Lansdowne board chair Ashley Veldkamp with sons Mason and Easton

“Together, we are creating an inclusive space where more children can unlock new skills and new smiles as they realize their full potential,” she said.

While he is also vice president of Lansdowne’s board and chair of the capital steering committee, Mike Gatopoulos said, “I am first and foremost the parent of a Lansdowne kid,” and in that, he said,

Lansdowne board vice president and chair of the capital steering committee Mike Gatopoulos

“I’ve seen the magic that walking through those somewhat cramped doors can do. … When you consider the family of each kid who walks through those doors, the amazing staff in that building makes the lives of thousands and thousands of people better every single year. That’s a really humbling fact.”

Scott Lyons will be chairing the capital campaign for the new building

Scott Lyons, who will be chairing the capital campaign for the new building, took a moment to thank Steve Charest from King and Benton, who was the vendor of the new property.

Lyons told the audience that Charest had been eagerly involved in working with Lansdowne to help the agency secure a suitable site to build for years, and once the Colborne Street property became available again, “(Charest) was very, very eager – to his own disadvantage – to try and put something together for Lansdowne,” Lyons said, adding “on top of that, he wanted to step up and be the first very significant donor to our campaign, which hasn’t even started yet.”

Hadley thanked everyone for their support of the project to date, and encouraged them to continue those efforts as it moved forward.

“At Lansdowne, we are all about the kids,” she said.

Lansdowne Children's Centre Executive Director Rita-Marie Hadley

“This new facility’s going to help ensure that children and families receive the service they need and the care when they need it, in a well-planned space that’s going to foster that discovery and joy.”