Timmins council wants to be informed of plans for proposed wellness centre

Timmins wants transparency about wellness centre Members of Timmins city council say they want to be informed about plans for a wellness centre at the Ramada Inn.

Timmins council is calling on the Cochrane District Services Board and its community partners to clearly explain the wellness centre model they have planned for the Ramanda Inn.

Councillors passed a resolution this week to hold the board accountable to the public.

“This will allow (us) to engage in more transparent and informed discussions so we can make decisions that align with the best interests of our community,” said Ward 1 Coun. Rock Whissell.

Seven members of Timmins council sit on the board, including Mayor Michelle Boileau. Whissell recently resigned from on the board. Coun. Steve Black will replace him.

“The bigger concern for the seven who sit or will sit on the Cochrane District Services Board is to ensure that whatever agreements are put in place and whatever leases are put in place honour and obligate the partners to operate the facility as it is intended to be operated,” said Black.

The intent to apply for funding to operate a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Facility in Timmins must be submitted to the province by Friday, with a finalized proposal submitted by Oct. 18.

Whissell told CTV News if he is not satisfied with the level of communication about the project, he will call for a town hall meeting and for other councillors support him.

“If the residents are not happy with the answers that they get, then what they do is they get together and they fight back,” said Coun. Bill Gvozdanovic.

Boileau cautioned Gvozdanovic to not “be inciting any kind of unnecessary action.”

“No, we’re not fighting, but we’re going to sign petitions and we’re going to hold them accountable,” said Gvozdanovic.

In a recent news release, the Cochrane District Services Board said it recently purchased the Ramada Inn “to have the best possible chance to receive government funding.”

And it also ensured there will be numerous opportunities for the public to provide input.