By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
Might 110 Sandys St. in Chatham be transformed into an addiction treatment/sober living facility?
It’s a possibility, as Chatham-Kent administration has been directed by council to explore the matter in the very near future.
The move stems from a motion made by West Kent Coun. Lauren Anderson at the June 8 council meeting. It asks for a 90-day pause on an approved $500,000 contract with Architectturra Inc. – without liability – to complete the design work needed to convert the former Meadow Park Chatham retirement home into a supportive living facility.
Architecttura Inc. was chosen as the successful bidder for the Meadow Park design work. The nursing home was purchased by the municipality in 2024.
The reason behind the motion, Anderson said, is that a private entity known as the Quiring Foundation is interested in the possibility of creating a treatment/sober living facility at the 110 Sandys St. site.
In her comments, Anderson said it was important to be respectful of Architecturra Inc., but added that the joint project with the Quiring Foundation could be a “really great private-public partnership.”
Due to the short timeline, Anderson asked that her notice of motion be voted on immediately at the meeting. The required two-thirds vote passed, allowing council to proceed with Anderson’s motion to pause the bid allowing other options to be explored. Anderson’s motion followed the withdrawal of a motion by South Kent Coun. Ryan Doyle. A long-term advocate for the creation of a local addiction treatment/sober living facility, Doyle has been working on the issue behind the scenes for two years. He lobbied hard against bringing supportive housing to 110 Sandys St., saying it shouldn’t be located near Ursuline College Chatham or the Chatham-Kent’s Women’s Centre for safety reasons.
Doyle said he was happy to withdraw his original motion asking administration to look at municipally owned properties for a treatment/sober living centre site in light of a possible collaboration with the Quiring Foundation.
Representatives from the Quiring Foundation are expected to present the non-profit’s vision at the June 22 council meeting.