Paramedic station, affordable housing proposed at former Kinsmen Children's Centre
Cambridge Mayor Jann Liggett says she is wary about supportive housing at site
A paramedic deployment station and affordable housing are some of the proposed conversions of the former Kinsmen Children's Centre in Cambridge.
The centre at 651 Concession Road, is on a regional road and connected to transit. The site is also beside Coronation Public School.
The site was originally built in 2004 by the region and operated as a child care centre until it closed in September 2021. Since then, the site has been used as a COVID-19 isolation centre for people experiencing homelessness.
The proposal for the conversion received support from Cambridge Coun. Pam Wolf and Mayor Jan Liggett.
"I strongly support this. In Cambridge we're looking for all those needs to be met and this will be a very exciting project in an excellent location," Wolf said.
Regional staff said there's also the potential for other social service to be offered at the building. Coun. Rob Deutschmann said he would like staff to consider the possibility of adding supportive housing to the site.
Supportive housing in the region provides shelter and onsite supports to people with a history of homelessness in an effort to help them keep their housing.
Liggett, however, said she wouldn't want "people with high acuity needs of mental health or addiction" living in the building, citing concern that the site is beside an elementary school.
"No. I just wouldn't support that," she told CBC News.
"I don't think anybody at the region would want to be putting something next to the school that wouldn't work with the neighbourhood."
Liggett expressed support to the possibility of having seniors or a child care centre be part of the site to give parents more flexibility.
Regional councillors voted in favour of the proposal and directed staff to come back to council with a more detailed plan in early 2024.