Page 26, Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, October 19, 1994 STAFF HAVE donned t-shirts like this one to showcase the transition from Whitby Psychiatric Hospital and the historic cottages to the new Whitby Mental Health Centre. Photo by Mark Reesor. WhItby Free Press "4. Moden Iighting, design conoepts n redevelopment Whitby Psychiatric Hospital's impressive new $133-million structure will be built toanswer a much-needed improvement to the old buildings, some of which are more than 75 years old and eroded to the point where they have been boarded up. "Cottages just don't meet the need anymore," says director of plannin Jane Thompson. As we 1, the expense involved. in maintenance of the cottages, some of which were built in 1916, is staggering. Estimates have placed it as high as $725,000 Ver year. "It really isn't cost effective," says Thompson. She says that duplication of such things as basic heating and lighting ser- vices also place a great strain on the budget. The new facility will capitalize on modern methods of making .the best use of lighting to cut costs. With the new design mak- ing the best use of natural light- ing, energy costs will be -reduced by 20 per cent. It is to be built over 86 acres and will have two stories. It will be 500,500 square feet contain- ing 352 beds. There will also be a 36-acre park built that will be for both patient and public use. If you had a heart attack and had to be admitted to a hospital, "You'd expect top-notch care in a top-notch facilit" says Thomp- son. So why shouidn't mental. patients expect the same, she says. But what will happen to the 42 buildings, which include 10 that are boarded up because they are too dangerous?b.a Thompson says that some will be torn down as they are too dangerous to be inhabited and it will-be too expensive to upgrade them to today's acceptable stan- dards. But as for the rest, some deci- sions will have to be made by the Ontario Management Board Secretariat, that will assume res- ponsibility for the buildings once the move is complete. "We will basically board them up until they come up with a decision," she says. Some of the ideas being bandied about in- clude converting them into office buildings, daycare, seniors' resi- dential units, or creating a vast park land. "The culture ministry will try and find a use for them in the community,»she says. The hospi- tal has·already made a presen- tation to the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Commit- tee as 23 of the old buildings have been designated historic. One of the unique features of the new building is the inclusion of 16 courtyards scattered out- side the perimeter, facing south toward the lake. There are some for each of the 15 different patient care units. Some, like. the geriatric court- yard, have been designed with the unit in mind. In this particu- lar one, there are raised planters so wheelchair-bound patients can practice gardening.. As well, trees have become a major part of the new design. They are therapeutic, says Thompson and most of the older ones will be integrated into the new landscape. "We are trying to capitalize on the natural environment," she says. BALCONY LOUNGE DINING ACTIVITY VISITING SMOKING PRIVATE ROOM SEMI-PRIVATE ROOM ISOLATION/SECLUSION SOLARIUM TUB & SHOWER LAUNDRY PATIENT STOR. PATIENT BEDROOM WING INTENSIVE OBSERVATION & TREATMENT POD PATIENT BEDROOM 8 WING 1. 4. e -. .~ ~ -'.---. - 4 GENERIC PATIENT CARE AND SUPPORT BUILDING .. .I - ik * W , Lam