Chatham-Kent approves property donation for addiction recovery facility

Chatham-Kent council has approved the donation of the former Meadow Park Long-Term Care Home, located at 110 Sandys Street in Chatham, to The Quiring Foundation for $1. The transfer follows a change in municipal plans; the property was originally purchased for $1.7 million with the intent to develop affordable and supportive housing.

The Quiring Foundation intends to transform the building into a Phase 2 addiction treatment and recovery facility starting this fall. The facility is planned as the first site in a broader continuum of care, offering stabilization and assessment programs for up to 30 days for individuals exiting detox, followed by structured recovery and personal development programs lasting up to 90 days.

Under the agreement, the Foundation assumes all responsibility for staffing, maintenance, operating costs, and regulatory compliance. The municipality has stipulated that the property must be used exclusively for addiction treatment and recovery for a defined period. If the facility ceases operations within that timeframe, the municipality retains the right to reclaim the property at no cost. Additionally, the Foundation is prohibited from mortgaging or transferring the property without municipal consent.