Orillia's Lighthouse holds official grand opening, with plans to slowly increase capacity
While operations have been ongoing throughout the last year, many gathered in the sunshine city for the official grand opening of The Lighthouse in Orillia.
Staff at The Lighthouse Shelter and Community Services Hub have been forced for nearly a year to wait to welcome the public into the new facility. COVID-19 protocols eliminated the opportunity for a large gathering until now.
"It's a huge celebration for the community to come together that supported the Building Hope campaign," says Lynn Thomas, the development and communications manager. "All of those donors, all of the businesses and the service groups, they are all able to come today, and we can all celebrate together finally."
The $14.5-million fundraising campaign first started in 2017 before ending in April of last year.
The facility operates 24/7, 365 days a year, providing various levels of support to vulnerable populations in Orillia.
"The Lighthouse is a housing first priority program, and it's basically getting people on the road to wellness and independence, independent housing; this is the first step in the emergency shelter," says Thomas. "Supportive housing is on the property in a separate building for people that are experiencing chronic homelessness."
Throughout the pandemic, it has been forced to limit the number of people it can support, only being able to provide 33 beds. However, that process is starting to change.
"We can't obviously go to full capacity right away because we need the staffing and all of the service delivery protocols behind full capacity," says Thomas. "However, we will be slowly increasing over the next six months."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams goes to the Bears with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.