Chatham-Kent council has approved the donation of a former long-term care home in Chatham to a foundation planning to open an addiction treatment and recovery facility on the site.
Council approved all recommendations in a report from Chief Administrative Officer Michael Duben at its Aug. 10 meeting, clearing the way for the municipality to declare 110 Sandys Street surplus and transfer the property to the Quiring Holding Foundation for $1, once the municipality’s purchase of the property from Jarlette Health Services is finalized.
The municipality bought the site, the former Meadow Park Long-Term Care Home, in 2024 with plans to develop it for affordable and supportive housing. Council later directed staff to seek proposals for architectural design work to build supportive housing on the property, and in June, council asked the successful bidder, Architecturra Inc., to hold its bid for 90 days while staff looked into an alternative option.
That alternative emerged when the Peter and Cathy Quiring Foundation presented plans to council on June 22 for a local addiction treatment and recovery facility, along with a broader continuum of care for people moving from crisis through stabilization and long-term recovery. The foundation asked the municipality to donate both 110 Sandys Street and 55 Croydon Street in exchange for a commitment to operate addiction and recovery programming at the properties.
Council directed administration to report back with options for the transfer of both properties, which led to Tuesday’s report. The foundation is still developing its plans for 55 Croydon Street, so this report deals only with 110 Sandys Street.
Under the approved plan, 110 Sandys Street will become the first site in a broader continuum of care the foundation hopes to build in Chatham-Kent. The plan includes a stabilization and assessment program of up to 30 days for people coming out of detox, followed by a structured recovery and personal development program of up to 90 days. The foundation envisions eventually connecting people through seven stages, from outreach and stabilization through transitional housing, life skills support and long-term independent living.
The report notes the foundation is faith-based but says no one would be excluded from services based on their faith. Administration says it has identified alignment between the proposed facility and existing programs at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, including its RAAM clinic and Withdrawal Management Services. The foundation already runs the Chatham Community Hope Centre on Croydon Street, which offers meals, outreach and pantry services.
The donation is conditional on the property being used only for the approved treatment and recovery purpose, with a covenant to be registered on title requiring that use for an agreed-upon period. If the foundation stops using the property for that purpose within that time, the municipality can require it be handed back at no cost. The foundation is also barred from mortgaging or transferring the property without the municipality’s consent, and will be responsible for all costs tied to the property and its operations.
Council also directed administration to bring back a bylaw at a later date designating the facility as a municipal capital facility, which would exempt the property from taxation, and to report back on the foundation’s future plans for 55 Croydon Street. The RFP with Architecturra Inc. for the redevelopment of 110 Sandys Street has been cancelled as a result.
In addition, council approved funding the purchase of 110 Sandys Street from Jarlette Health Services, in the amount of $1,759,357.40, from the Chatham-Kent Housing New Construction Reserve.
The report had acknowledged the shift away from the municipality’s original supportive housing goal for the site, noting that while the treatment and recovery use would meet an important community need, it would not create permanent supportive housing units. Administration said council should weigh the proposal against the continuing need for supportive housing elsewhere in the community.
The donation is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026.
