The former Brookside Youth Centre will mark a milestone in the decommissioning process at the end of this month.
The former Ministry of Youth facility which closed after more than 70-years in operation on February 12, 2021 will be turned over to Infrastructure Ontario on January 1, 2022.
A public servant involving in the decommissioning process along with MPP David Piccini gave Today’s Northumberland a exclusive tour of the premises on Tuesday, December 21, 2021.
Video wasn’t allowed on the property, but it was evident there is nothing left in any of the buildings.
“The buildings are completely clear,” said Piccini after the tour of the facility.
In the days following the closure, food went to local charities, educational material from the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board was removed and used in other schools.
“All that rests here today are buildings that are essentially shells.”
“There is nothing inside. Things went to shelters, security equipment that is used in the justice system was moved elsewhere, Other material and equipment here has been relocated elsewhere in the youth justice system.”
There were eight bunkhouses on the grounds of the property, that housed 32 units.
Six youths were at the facility at the time of decommission.
Piccini said after touring the grounds that it is a “beautiful, historic site”
“It behoves all of us in government when we have surplus properties like these to engage the public. We’ve done that with great feedback. The town as well has been phenomenal.”
After December the property will go to Infrastructure Ontario.
Infrastructure Ontario handles the real estate portfolio for the Government of Ontario.
Although everything has been removed, there are many things still to be done before a decision is made with the property.
“We have to do a complete asset management of everything here including water, waste water.”
“You’ve got to do a complete inventory of all the buildings on-site. Many of the rooves are in a state of complete disrepair. What needs to be wound down and completely dismantled. That’s again where Infrastructure Ontario comes in with their expertise.”
Piccini said going forward, “pursuant to our obligations, we are in the process as well, pursuant to the Williams Treaty obligations. It’s an important dialogue we have to have with First Nation communities as well as other ministries.”
Piccini said at the outset when Brookside closed that all staff would be looked after.
“We kept our word.”
“All staff we’re looked after. No one was left behind. Many took voluntary packages, many are working elsewhere in the Youth Justice system. Some are working elsewhere in the broader Ontario Public Service. My obligation as I said on day one in February was that we would look after staff who are working here and the youth as well who’ve been moved elsewhere. This was an orderly wind down. All staff were looked after and now that we’ve looked after the site and taken away everything from within, it now hands over to the Infrastructure Ontario portfolio.”
Piccini said he is hopeful to have the Mayor, along with council and even the public to be able to tour the facility at some point.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
