For years the Windsor Essex Community Health Centre Sandwich Site was located in the basement of Forster High School. Then it moved to modular office units. It finally has a new, permanent location.
After 20 years, the centre can call 3325 College Ave., at the corner of Brock St. home.
"The formal process started in 2013 when we received our approval letter from the capital branch of the government [Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care]," says Rita Taillefer, the executive director.
Centre staff and clients held a grand opening celebration Tuesday, although the team moved into the new location last month and had been seeing clients there since.
Taillefer said many of their clients have very complex health needs and choosing a site close to them was non-negotiable.
"Some of our clients don't have easy access to downtown or some of the sites further away," said Taillefer. "Also 83 per cent of our clients have three or more serious health issues."
The centre has more examination rooms, a gymnasium for health promotion initiatives, and room for more clients.
"I know that some clients are having a hard time finding a family doctor. We have the capacity here in this new site to help those people out," said Taillefer adding that new clients can call the centre or come to the new location on College Ave.
The centre, which has six locations and 150 staff, has 44,000 active rostered clients already.