The Georgian Bay Treatment Centre's new Seven Bridges Residential Rehab Centre near Paisley will officially open today.
The centre provides treatment for youth aged 14 - 19 who are struggling with addictions or mental health issues.
Executive Director Greg Schnurr says the centre allows residents to stay anywhere from 8 weeks, to a year.
He says, "We have the capability to expand up to 48 youth given the present layout of the building. It would just mean a different staffing model for us, but right now we're prepared to operate under our present staffing model which would take in up to 28 youth."
Schnurr says the need for this type of facility is very great in Ontario.
He explains, "Around 30,000 youth throughout ontario could access services such as ours, and there are presently 1,150 beds available."
The centre on 96 acres
The non profit organization's board is covering most of the cost for clients for the short term, until they receive certification and funding from the Ministry of Youth and Child Services.