Thunder Bay Journey to Life Centre wins Chamber of Commerce Award of Excellence

by Caroline Franks
Categories: Divisional News
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Paint on the Thunder Bay Journey to Life Centre has barely dried but the Salvation Army building is already taking home awards.

The Centre recently received the ‘Looking Good’ prize at the 27th Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.

The Looking Good award, sponsored by telecommunications company Tbaytel, goes to a business or organization that has completed renovations or restored a building that already exists and uses green materials or building processes. Eligible award nominees are required to have a positive impact on the surrounding community.

Gary Ferguson, Executive Director of the Journey to Life Centre

“We received this award for the beautification of the building, but the foundation of this building is built on hope. It is more than a building and it is more than beautification. We are changing people’s lives,” said Gary Ferguson, executive director of the Journey to Life Centre.

Four other businesses were nominated for the award, including the engineering firm that worked on the construction of the Journey to Life Centre, and a new school building.

“We have no idea who nominated us but were very honoured to have been nominated and even more honoured to actually win,” said Gail Kromm, the Salvation Army Community Engagement Manager in Thunder Bay.

“The award is a confirmation of the support that the community has for the work we are doing at the Journey to Life Centre. This building reflects the changes that we look forward to seeing in the lives impacted through it and it is truly gratifying when the community sees the value in the services we provide.”

An old Salvation Army building was demolished to make space for the new 28 000 square foot journey to Life Centre, which incorporates the latest in energy efficient design and accessibility features. It was constructed using sustainable materials that use 35-40 percent less energy than the previous building, which was half the size of the current facility. It is fully wheelchair accessible is barrier free in all common areas. Twenty-five percent of the residential rooms are also barrier free.

Design elements in the building honours Canada’s indigenous community and includes a wellness centre, a living wall, program rooms, a medical centre, and private and semi-private residential rooms.

“The new space has allowed The Salvation Army to expand programs such as the upgraded Rotary Field of Greens and the Wild Game Kitchen to help build skills and move people to more independence creating a better outcome for them,” said a statement from the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce.

The Business Excellence awards took place at an outdoor drive-in theatre with the 200 people in attendance watching from their cars.

By Chris McGregor