TEMISKAMING SHORES – Plans to build a new two-storey facility to expand services for the Pavilion Family Centre have taken another step forward, with the city of Temiskaming Shores agreeing to donate a parcel of land next to the Haileybury Medical Centre.
The location is the preferred site after looking at almost a dozen options, says Chantal Charbonneau, chair of the Pavilion’s board of directors.
“The project team conducted an extensive site search and evaluation process between January and July 2025, reviewing more than a dozen potential properties across the community,” Charbonneau said in a letter to Temiskaming Shores council explaining the selection process.
“Following this assessment, the team identified a parcel of City-owned land on Meridian Avenue, adjacent to the Haileybury Medical Centre, as the most suitable location.”
Charbonneau said the candidate sites included a lot on Grant Drive, but its location in a commercial area and limited privacy ruled it out. Two sites on Oak Street were rejected for size and location, and the former Haileybury Public School, Sacre Coeur School and former Eplett’s Dairy were rejected due to costs and safety.
The current site of Temiskaming Lodge – which is planning to build its own new facility near Temiskaming Hospital – was also rejected as the building is three times larger than needed and the prospect of sharing space with other tenants would pose “significant safety and security concerns,” Charbonneau said.
Other rejected sites were the Haileybury Mall – whose owner rejected adding residential housing to the space – and the portion of an estate property whose location would be too far from essential services and transportation.
Charbonneau said the location next to the Haileybury Medical Centre offers a number of advantages, being close to essential services, on a direct bus route, and proximity to the existing Pavilion shelter on Cecil Street.
The current location opened in 1984 as a 10-bed emergency shelter providing support for women and children across the entire district of Timiskaming fleeing violence. Each year it shelters 60-70 women and children and provides services to more than 200 people annually.
Charbonneau said the new location will include second-stage traditional housing in the form of apartment-style residences, where survivors typically live from between six months to two years.
“Survivors need additional time and support to heal from their trauma and rebuild their lives,” she said in her initial presentation to city council.
“This expansion is critical in light of the region’s housing shortage, particularly for women-led, lone-parent families, and the increasing intersection of gender-based violence and homelessness in our community.”
By Joe O’Grady, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on May 13, 2026 at 07:53
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