The newly expanded William E. Hay Youth Centre in Ottawa will accommodate the specialized services and programs required to address the needs of youth in conflict with the law.

The Ottawa project is an expansion of an existing secure custody/detention facility operated by the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa, a not-for-profit community agency. The Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre Youth Unit will be closed in March 2009 and youth in this facility will transfer to William E. Hay Youth Centre. All male youth in conflict with the law who require secure custody in the Ottawa area will now be served at this facility.

The centre will keep youth as close as possible to their own communities while providing rehabilitative services in a facility designed to meet the needs of youth. This also maximizes the potential for family involvement, which plays a key role in helping youth re-integrate into society and become contributing members of their communities.

Highlights:

• Construction cost:  approximately $5.36 million.
• Facility size: approximately 668.53 m² (7,196 square feet).
• Designed by Barry J. Hobin and Architects.
• Added 16 more beds for a total of 40 beds for male youth ages 12 to 17.
• Created more than 100 construction-related jobs.
• Approximately 27 additional jobs created to operate the centre.
• Capital funding to build the facility provided by the government as part of its $30-billion five-year ReNew Ontario infrastructure investment plan.

The McGuinty government is committed to keeping Ontario communities strong, safe and vital by reducing the number of youth in conflict with the law who re-offend.

Additional Information:

• No additional news.