Executive director Ashley Safar can’t wait to open the doors of the Peterborough Community Health Centre (PCHC) and usher community members inside for a peek at what’s been going on behind the scenes in preparation for the official opening of the downtown Peterborough clinic.
The PCHC is hosting a grand opening celebration from 1 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday (October 7) at the centre, which is located in Peterborough Square at 360 George Street North.
The free drop-in event will include a ribbon cutting and opening ceremony featuring Kathy MacLeod-Beaver, a traditional knowledge holder from Alderville First Nation, along with traditional women’s hand drumming by Naandewegaan, in the outside courtyard at George and Simcoe streets, followed by a soup tasting inside the building and opportunities to tour the newly renovated space, meet the team, and learn about upcoming services and programs.
“We’re really excited to open our doors to community,” Safar told kawarthaNOW. “For a long time, people in Peterborough have been asking for a community health centre and now we have this space that’s designed to be welcoming, inclusive, and culturally safe, and a place where everybody can feel respected and supported in their wellness journey.”
“We’re looking at health from a holistic perspective,” she added, noting the centre weaves together Indigenous knowledge and western medicine to support holistic well-being. “It’s not just a clinic — it’s a hub for healing, connection, and community.”
The PCHC has been “thoughtfully designed” by Unity Design Studio (formerly Lett Architects) to reflect the diversity of the community it serves. Built by Mortlock Construction Inc., the centre is located on two accessible floors in the mall, occupying the space previously held by TD Canada Trust and the space just below the former branch.
Safar earlier told kawarthaNOW the PCHC’s central location alone increases accessibility, may contribute to a better feeling of safety for residents, and will be supportive of downtown businesses.
“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,” she said.
The PCHC will offer a wide range of services under one roof, including primary care, traditional healing, community programming, and advocacy supports. Services are designed to meet people “where they are,” especially those who face barriers to care.
“Healthcare should be a doorway, not a barrier,” Safar said in a statement. “This centre was created with reconciliation at its heart. By blending traditional healing with western healthcare, we aim to improve not just individual health, but the health of our entire community.”
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 centre’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 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, and individuals living in conditions of extreme poverty.
The clinic’s comprehensive approach to healthcare includes a team of traditional healers, doctors, nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers, and more to support people’s individual health needs. People can access community programs, mental health support, social activities, chronic disease education, and more. Services and programs are available at no cost to clients.
Indigenous clients can access culturally specific programs and find opportunities to engage in ceremony, as well as learning from traditional knowledge holders and connecting with elders.
In addition to providing healthcare and wellness services, the PCHC will address and advocate for priorities such as housing and food insecurity to foster a healthier community.
Currently, the PCHC is working with a limited number of clients from its priority populations, through referral-based intakes from its group of partners. Safar declined to provide on how many people the clinic has rostered to date as it’s evolving, she said.
The centre plans to broaden its client base as it grows, and Safar encourages people who don’t have a family doctor or primary care provider to register through the Ontario Ministry of Health’s Health Care Connect program, as the clinic will be drawing from that registry when it’s ready to expand its client intake.
For more information about the PCHC, visit www.ptbochc.ca.
