Toba Centre getting major facility upgrades

Toba Centre for Children & Youth on May 14, 2024 (CTV News/Daniel Halmarson)

A child advocacy centre will be getting major infrastructure upgrades.

On Tuesday, the Federal government announced Toba Centre for Children & Youth is set to receive $3 million in funding.

“The investment will support accessibility and inclusivity improvements, along with energy efficient upgrades to reduce the costs of the facility’s energy consumption,” said Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux.

The funding for the project comes through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program.

The province says the enhancements are expected to reduce the facility's energy consumption by an estimated 38.7%, and greenhouse gas emissions by 45.8 tonnes annually.

“The retrofits will include installation of things such as an elevator, inclusion of gender-neutral washrooms, electrical, and mechanical system upgrades and the construction of a new ramp in the entrance access,” said Lamoureux.

The centre is a charitable organization which coordinates a collaborative approach to interviewing child abuse victims and kids who have witnessed violent crimes.

Christy Dzikowicz, CEOof the Toba Centre, says the funding marks the completion of its $15 million We Will Capital Campaign – which began raising funds two years ago for the establishment of its now-current facility at Assiniboine Park.

“This new space presents Manitoba with an opportunity to embrace internationally recognized best practices for how children, youth and caregivers experience being the subjects of abuse investigations. It provides room for all of us as a community to rally around youth and their caregivers that have been impacted by child abuse and ensure they receive the best possible care.” said Dzikowicz