(Starting from the left) Mayor Randy Hope, Christopher Behrens, MPP Rick Nicholls, and Tina Baeyens at the new YA location on Richmond St. October 12, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)(Starting from the left) Mayor Randy Hope, Christopher Behrens, MPP Rick Nicholls, and Tina Baeyens at the new YA location on Richmond St. October 12, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)
Chatham

Celebrating YA Day (GALLERY)

The YA contact centre in Chatham is officially moved into its new location.

MPP Rick Nicholls and Mayor Randy Hope were among the many guests at Wednesday's ribbon-cutting ceremony. They each spoke about the opportunities the company brings to the municipality and commended those involved with the expansion.

During his speech, Mayor Hope also presented a Certificate of Recognition to YA President and CEO Christopher Behrens, announcing that October 12 will be known as "YA Day" in Chatham-Kent.

Behrens accepted the certificate, thanking everyone for their involvement.

He says seeing the project complete is something special.

"There is a very dedicated group of people who have waited a long time for us to get here and I'm glad that they're getting everything that they wanted out of it," says Behrens.

One of those dedicated people is Director Tina Baeyens. During the ceremony, Behren presented her with an award for her efforts in making the expansion a success.

"A lot of long hours and tireless times has been invested by my team, in working to help ensure that we were ready and set up to move into our new space," says Baeyens. "Now we have a great, new facility to be able to do our day-to-day work."

With the new facility being much bigger, the company had previously announced their plans to nearly double in staff. Behrens says the new positions should be filled by November 6, and there may be more positions to fill later on.

"Right about in the March/April time frame we'll have another wave of hiring," says Behrens. "That'll be dependent in terms of how successful we are in the market place."

Mayor Randy Hope presenting Christopher Behrens with a Certificate of Recognition, naming Oct. 12 as Mayor Randy Hope presenting Christopher Behrens with a Certificate of Recognition, naming Oct. 12 as "YA Day". October 12, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)

Ribbon cutting ceremony at the new YA facility on Richmond St. October 12, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)Ribbon cutting ceremony at the new YA facility on Richmond St. October 12, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)

Ribbon cutting ceremony at the new YA facility on Richmond St. October 12, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)Ribbon cutting ceremony at the new YA facility on Richmond St. October 12, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)

Ribbon cutting ceremony at the new YA facility on Richmond St. October 12, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)Ribbon cutting ceremony at the new YA facility on Richmond St. October 12, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)

Christopher Behrens presenting Tina Baeyens with an award for her work with YA. October 12, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)Christopher Behrens presenting Tina Baeyens with an award for her work with YA. October 12, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)

Christopher Behrens presenting Tina Baeyens with an award for her work with YA. October 12, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)Christopher Behrens presenting Tina Baeyens with an award for her work with YA. October 12, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)

YA staff at the new facility on Richmond St. October 12, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)YA staff at the new facility on Richmond St. October 12, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)

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