What began as a temporary location inside Peterborough Square mall is transitioning into a longer-term space for the Peterborough Community Health Centre (PCHC).
Construction is well underway for the new space in the mall, which is located at 360 George St. N. just south of Simcoe Street in downtown Peterborough. The PCHC’s new space will occupy two floors in the mall, including the former space held by TD Canada Trust and the space just below it.
The PCHC intends the location to be its home for the next decade, according to executive director Ashley Safar.
“Long term, there’s a possibility that we continue to grow and expand in Peterborough Square,” Safar told kawarthaNOW. “I think the benefits of being downtown are numerous.”
Safar said the PCHC’s central location increases accessibility, may contribute to a better feeling of safety for residents, and would be supportive of downtown businesses.
“I think the fact we will be downtown will help support the vibe in the downtown core for folks who are directly accessing the PCHC, but I think there are also going to be a lot of indirect benefits for the community.”
That said, “technically it’s still a temporary location,” she noted, adding that the construction is going well. Unity Design Studio (formerly known as Lett Architects) and Mortlock Construction Inc. are both involved in the work.
“We anticipate doing a soft launch in the spring or early summer and then a grand opening in the fall,” Safar said.
Amidst the construction, progress for the centre is occurring in other areas too, Safar added.
“We are also focused on recruiting physicians. We are already seeing good early interest from physicians interested in the CHC model.”
The PCHC earlier projected the clinic will bring 30 new health care jobs to the area.
A non-profit, community-governed organization, the PCHC provides the community with a combination of primary health care services, free community programs, and community development initiatives. In February 2024, the provincial government announced it was providing about $4.8 million in annual funding for the PCHC.
The PCHC’s mandate is to provide care for priority populations, which include people who are without a primary care provider and who identify as belonging to one or more of the following groups:
- Indigenous individuals
- Racialized groups or communities
- Individuals with physical or mental disabilities, including those experiencing mental health conditions and/or substance use challenges
- Members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community
- Individuals experiencing homelessness
- Newcomers, including immigrants and refugees
- Individuals living in geographically or physically isolated areas who face barriers to accessing care
- Individuals living in conditions of extreme poverty
Safar said this approach is rooted in advancing health equity and ensuring access to care for everyone in the community, with a focus on supporting “the most vulnerable.”
The community health centre model is designed to address the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health of its clients, while actively working to tackle the social determinants of health.
“It’s a model that values understanding the needs of each individual and striving to improve health outcomes while enhancing the overall client experience,” Safar said in a statement.
The PCHC is currently accepting a limited number of clients, only from its priority populations, through referral-based intakes from a small group of partners.
“This approach allows us to ensure that those facing the greatest challenges receive the support they need while we work towards expanding our intake capacity,” PCHC stated in its recent newsletter. “Once we are ready to accept clients on a broader scale, we will make an official announcement to keep the community informed.”
There is currently no waitlist. Safar encourages those in need of primary care to register with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Health Care Connect program , as the organization will be drawing from that registry when it’s ready to expand its client intake.
When fully operational, the PCHC will aim to offer not only medical care but also mental health support, traditional healing, and community wellness programs.
“We hope to foster a welcoming environment where every individual feels seen, heard, and cared for,” Safar said.
