pediatrics centre

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

CHANDLER – The Accroche-Coeur Gaspésie-Sud Community Social Pediatrics Centre is relaunching its project to develop the basement of its head office in Chandler. 

The goal is to expand the services offered by the organization, which serves the area between Barachois and the Plateaux de la Matapédia. 

The idea first emerged last summer, but a change in administration put the project on hold. 

“It’s a need. We have our house in Chandler with our offices and premises upstairs, but we have a large basement that is available. There are facilities required to properly accommodate people and workshops. We’re even thinking about a music garage. We could have lots of possible projects with work in the basement,” explains the general director, Liane Roy-Castonguay. 

The organization is currently in the process of hiring a project manager. 

“To identify needs and develop workshops throughout the territory. We need space and the needs are there,” mentions the director. 

The Town of Chandler has already funded the plans and specifications for the basement renovations. 

“We will still have to put together the financial package and ask our partners and locals to help us do this work,” says Ms. Roy-Castonguay. 

The estimated cost of the redevelopment is $148,000, with an additional $52,000 required for accessibility improvements in the basement. “It will be in the coming weeks to submit funding requests,” she adds. 

The centre currently has 223 active files. 

In addition to its offices, the centre operates a mobile clinic, called Mobilicoeur, which travels throughout the region, especially during the summer. 

There are two other social pediatrics centres in the Gaspé Peninsula, one in Cap-Chat and another in Rivière-au-Renard.