In September 2008, a small internal team began developing a prefeasibility study to support the Douglas infrastructure renewal project. On Wednesday, May 20th, our Board of Directors passed a resolution endorsing the study, and approving its submission to the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) within the next few weeks. This submission constitutes an official request for the the Ministry`s support for our request to build a new Institute.

As part of the study, the external firm charged with assessing our infrastructure conducted a detailed analysis of our existing buildings to determine whether renovation and reuse would be a viable option. Their analysis revealed that reuse of the buildings would be a costly undertaking and that the result would not provide a healing environment for patients.

The firm recommended that a new facility, built in accordance with guidelines for sustainable practice and best practices, would be the best solution for our future. This new faciilty will offer an optimal therapeutic environment for our patients, a better work environment for employees and a welcoming setting for our community partners.