Indigenous organizations to turn old Hamilton school into wellness centre

Indigenous organizations are celebrating the acquisition of an old school.

The Biindigen Community Hub in East Hamilton is set to be demolished, making way for a brand-new wellness centre that will serve families, children, and more.

A ceremony took place not too long ago, where city officials and numerous organizations signed an agreement to purchase the old St. Helen School in the McQuesten neighbourhood, forming an equal partnership for the future building.

The idea is to tear down the current facility and create a campus with a cultural design comprised of three separate facilities. 

The city’s Aboriginal Health Centre, Ontario Indigenous Housing, and McMaster University will partner and provide family services, child care, housing, mental health, and other services at this one-stop shop. 

Officials say this plan has been in the works for more than a decade, hoping to bring a collaborative service centre rather than separate locations across the city.

The announcement comes right with Truth and Reconciliation Day this Saturday. 

The organizers say that the planning stage will continue, and they expect demolition of the current building to start this fall. They expect construction to begin sometime in the early spring of 2025.