A groundbreaking ceremony to officially mark the start of construction on the new Summit Wellness Centre was held July 6 in Cobobconk.
The centre will be a hub for community health, and community space for the underserved northern areas of Kawartha Lakes.
By renovating and expanding the historic train station building, the centre will offer more doctors and after-hours care, along with dental, physiotherapy, and many more services, while preserving an important piece of the area’s history.
City of Kawartha Lakes mayor Doug Elmslie said, “today is an exciting day. I’m pleased to share in this milestone event as we break ground on a new and much needed wellness centre. It’s also a reminder of what can be accomplished when Kawartha Lakes comes together with a shared purpose.”
Elmslie thanked the Coboconk, Norland & Area Chamber of Commerce for its leadership on the project. “And we recognize today the countless community members who have fundraised over $1 million so far through a variety of creative ways,” he added. “Thank you to all who have given time and resources to make today possible.”
Chamber board chair, Ian Forster, said, “this is truly a community-driven project.” He added, “the community identified the need for the services that will be housed in the new building and the community came forward with strong support to help make it happen through donations, volunteer time, and community partnerships that are focused on planning for service delivery when the doors open.” He said they were grateful for that, as well as the City of Kawartha Lakes’ “strong commitment to the project.”
During the construction of the building, the project team will continue to work with project partners to build on the gains made so far in the recruitment of physicians and nurse practitioners and other services identified as needed in the area. Fundraising efforts will continue as well to help equip the building.
The Summit Wellness Centre is a $16 million project and plans to open in Spring 2025.
For further information, contact: Jennifer Wilson, general manager Coboconk, Norland & Area Chamber of Commerce 705-3414183 jwilson@coboconknorland.ca. or go to SummitWellnessCentre.ca.
