Councillor Ryan Doyle has withdrawn his motion exploring a municipally owned treatment and recovery centre, but the conversation surrounding addiction treatment services in Chatham-Kent is continuing.
The Ward 2 councillor has been a vocal advocate for expanding addiction treatment and recovery options in the municipality. On Monday night, Doyle brought forward a motion asking administration to report back on municipally owned properties that could potentially house a treatment and recovery centre, as well as gauge interest from private-sector partners in operating such a facility.
In its response to the notice of motion, administration pointed to a previous council motion approved on April 13, 2026, directing staff to explore a potential partnership with the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) to establish a Phase 2 withdrawal management program. Staff also noted ongoing discussions with an organization interested in bringing treatment and recovery services to Chatham-Kent.
The discussion also revived conversation surrounding the former long-term care home at 110 Sandys Street. During a May council meeting, councillors discussed a proposal from an unnamed organization interested in converting the building into a treatment and recovery facility at no cost to taxpayers.
At the end of Monday’s meeting, Councillor Lauren Anderson introduced a notice of motion identifying the interested organization as the Quiring Foundation and requesting that representatives attend a future council meeting to present their proposal.
Doyle said the foundation’s interest was a key reason behind his decision to withdraw the motion.
“They’ve agreed to come and do a presentation at a council meeting,” said Doyle. “As opposed to us trying to do this and possibly wasting a bunch of staff time, if the end goal we can get to quicker by letting this foundation come and give this presentation and see what they want to do, I think that makes more sense.”
Council unanimously approved Anderson’s motion, paving the way for the foundation to present its proposal at a future meeting.
Council also approved a recommendation directing administration to ask Architecttura Inc., Architects, to hold its bid for the redevelopment of 110 Sandys Street for 90 days without liability, allowing staff time to investigate alternative options that may provide cost savings.