Work has begun at 1 Alhambra Square to turn the building into The Bridge Integrated Care Hub offering supports and services for Belleville’s homeless and vulnerable population.
Demolition work at the former Banquet Centre began Tuesday.
Steve Van de Hoef, project manager for the Bridge Hub says local firm Bel-Con Design Builders Ltd. is managing the construction, which is focused on the first floor for now.
“So this is removal of the interior to make room for the new construction. So to be clear, the building’s not coming down. The building will continue to stand but it’s going to be a full interior renovation.”
The first floor will host the services currently offered at Bridge Street United Church.
“Washrooms and showers and laundry, food. Then there’s also a range of social and health services. There’s a nurse onsite and a nurse practitioner a couple of days a week. There’s income supports, so Ontario Works and disability supports, and employment and counselling, mental health and addictions supports.”
Plans are also in the works for the facility to host the warming room this winter.
More services will be added to the facility which will operate seven days a week, 365 days a year.
“Certainly everybody’s looking forward to having a more appropriate space. You know, as you’ve heard from Mayor Ellis and others, the drop-in has really outgrown the space over the years. The number of services that are provided, the way that the building is laid out, and so I think that everybody is looking forward to having that purpose-built space to provide services and receive services as well.”
Demolition work has begun at 1 Alhambra Square to turn the building into The Bridge Integrated Services Hub. (Photo: John Spitters/Quinte News)
The city is providing $4.4 million for the facility and the Mayor’s Challenge fundraising campaign, in conjunction with the United Way is currently underway to raise another $250,000 that will be needed.
