Point in Time Centre for Children, Youth and Parents has purchased a property at 5219 County Road 21 in Haliburton for a future youth and family hub.
Executive director Marg Cox made the news public this week, saying the plan is to eventually sell the two offices they have at 69 Eastern Ave., sell the youth hub building on Dysart Avenue, and end the lease on their offices on Highland Street. She added they have estimated they will only need about half of the new lot, allowing them to sell that for more money to put towards the project.
Cox did not have an estimated cost, or timeline.
She called it a transformative project that will expand access to vital services for children, youth, young adults, and families across Haliburton County.
“This is a once-in-a-generation investment in our community. By securing this key location, less than one kilometre from the high school and centrally located, we have taken the first step towards creating a single facility where children, youth, and families can access the care, connection, and opportunities they need to thrive.”
She added the purpose-built hub will bring together a wide range of supports under one roof, including: early childhood programs, recreation and wellness opportunities, parenting supports, employment services, skills and well-being activities, mental health/substance use help and primary care.
Movies to support the cause
Cox said when they leased the former HCDC office downtown, it was an experiment to see if the agency should have a main street presence. “We’ve decided in the long run, there’s just so many synergies to be had and logistics to be saved by bringing us under one roof.”
For example, she said having all staff together would easily ensure a second person when needed in a building. “To be able to just leverage way more efficiencies, such as one round of reception services.” She added right now, they operate four different water treatment systems, four different heating and cooling systems.
“There’s clearly the infrastructure synergies to be had.”
Cox added families would be able to knock on one door and have an opportunity to receive support for a variety of needs under one roof, and as their families grow.
“It’s all looping together to better serve children, youth and families in Haliburton County.
As for next steps, they’re close to hiring an architect, with Cox saying, that’s when “the rubber hits the road, figuring out the whole design phase.”
There are many pieces to the puzzle, including the fact the province partially owns 69 Eastern Ave. Point in Time has been working with MPP Laurie Scott’s office. Cox said there is a long process to seek ministry approval to sell the property, and then reinvest elsewhere – all within the same fiscal year.
“It’s a tricky dance, we’re up for the challenge, we just have to get the timing right.”
“It’s exciting. We still have to roll up our sleeves and finalize actual numbers, but we welcome donations. We are a charitable organization. People can go onto the pointintime.ca website and make a donation and receive an automatic email receipt. We really appreciate the support of individuals and organization and the whole community.”
Proceeds from a movie day in Head Lake Park Oct. 11 will go towards the Haliburton Highlands Health Service Foundation and Point in Time Youth Hub. They will screen Paddington Bear at 3 p.m., Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doon at 5:15 p.m. and Superman (2025) at 7:30 p.m. People are asked to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
