Celebrating the Completion of Construction
at The Crossing at Keremeos
July 7, 2009
Promise. Delivered.
Thanks to the remarkable support of our many donors and partners on this project, we have now completed construction on schedule and the first young men challenged by addiction have now arrived, to join the young women in residence since March in the Ashnola Lodge, for long term residential treatment in the Portage program at the Crossing at Keremeos!
On July 7, 2009, Central City Foundation was delighted to host an afternoon at The Crossing at Keremeos to celebrate the delivery of the promise to build BC’s first long term residential treatment centre for youth, both boys and girls, challenged by addiction with over 150 supporters of this important project.
A local caterer, Swimming Dragon, prepared a lovely vegetarian lunch for all in the dining hall. Lunch was followed by a welcome from Chief Joe Dennis of the Lower Similkameen Band and short program including comments from John Slater, MLA, Boundary-Similkameen, Walter Despot, Mayor of Keremeos, Rob & Susie Ruttan, From Grief to Action, Dr. Richard Hooper, Co-Chair Portage BC Board of Governors and our very own Central City Foundation President & CEO, Jennifer Johnstone.
During the program, Jennifer expressed how honoured she was to acknowledge the amazing individuals and organizations that have made this very special place possible. The following people were acknowledged for their efforts to deliver this promise:
Rob and Susie Ruttan of From Grief to Action and Central City Foundation Board Member Peter Spencer for their inspiration, initiative and determination.
The other members of the Steering Committee and the project team made up of our project partners: Betty-Ann Busse, Lois Dixon, Sue Melnychuk and Sherry Mumford from Fraser Health, Ira Roness from Interior Health, Nichola Hall of From Grief To Action, Peter Howlett and Peter Vamos from Portage and Heather Hay, Drew Hart and Masami Tomioka from Vancouver Coastal Health, all led by another champion, former Vancouver Coastal Health CEO Ida Goodreau, for the many, many hours they have committed to this project.
Lauren for her courage and inspiration.
The people of the Village of Keremeos and the peoples of the Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands for the warm welcome from this community of caring neighbours.
The Board of Directors of Central City Foundation; JoAnne Chase, Robin Elliott, James Hatton, Fred Inglis, Nancy Kwok, Gary Ley, Tracey McVicar, Barbara Shason, Peter Spencer, Bob Stanlake, and, Chair John Swift, and our Campaign Leadership Team; May Brown, Tung Chan, Yvonne de Boer, Richard & Heather Hooper, John McLean, Alexandra Paproski, Don Rix, JP Shason, and Mark Tindle for their tenacity and tireless volunteer work which helped us to exceed our fundraising goal and build The Crossing at Keremeos.
And, of course, we honoured the astounding generosity of British Columbians whose gifts have made this project possible and to whom we are deeply, deeply grateful.
A plaque was installed on the new classroom building recognizing these remarkable gifts, and woven along the railing of the walkway that connects the buildings on the site are the names of many, many more generous friends and in-kind sponsors whose greatest wish is that youth at The Crossing at Keremeos succeed on their healing journey of recovery. READ MORE>>
David Love was also recognized for all his hard work as our Campaign Director. Garth Ramsey and Emily Smith of NSDA Architects for the incredibly beautiful design! The many consultants from Stantec, LMDG, L.P. Gander and Lisa Bell for their contributions and TriCity Contracting together with the dozens of pairs of hands that crafted these incredible renovations!
And, for their persistent, steadfast attention to every detail, our Project Managers, Gwyn Symmons and Dana Hough from CitySpaces were specially thanked.
Those in attendance were also given extensive guided tours of the site – annotated by representatives from Portage and our construction project members.
Once again, Central City Foundation is tremendously proud to have been a part of building The Crossing at Keremeos. We are delighted to be able to provide this incredible facility for a therapeutic community for youth to be operated by Portage and the Health Authorities.
Thank you to all of you who made the time to join us to celebrate this incredible accomplishment. We are delighted that you were able to see in person what you helped build. We hope those of you that joined us on the bus for 9 hours that day found the trip comfortable and a good chance to connect with fellow partners and supporters!
