There may still be work to be done — a coat of paint here, some new flooring there — but staff at the Busby Centre in downtown Barrie are excited to show off their new digs.
This week, officials opened the doors of 90 Mulcaster St., which is adjacent to their 88 Mulcaster base of operations, a location they have been calling home since 2014, for a community open house.
Although the organization officially took possession of the nearly 10,000 square feet of new space back in August, it wasn’t until end of October that they were able to begin work to move offices and services over into the building.
“We’ve just been getting things set up, hiring more staff and working to get things operational as soon as possible," explained executive director Sara Peddle. "We do have some stuff that’s operational already over here.
“We are really excited to be able to expand into this space," she added during an interview with BarrieToday on Wednesday. "We have the demand. It’s definitely something we are looking forward to, in making sure that everybody has more space. Right now, everybody is shoulder-to-shoulder and it’s quite tight over at 88 (Mulcaster). To be able to give people more dignified services is definitely what our aim is.”
The community-based not-for-profit organization paid $4 million on Aug. 8, 2023 to buy 88 and 90 Mulcaster St., in downtown Barrie, from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Simcoe County Branch.
The Busby has said it has signed on for a $2.6-million mortgage at a rate of seven per cent. Ontario Land Registry records show a higher figure, which Busby officials say includes private financing of a short-term bridge loan.
The Busby Centre also officially launched its capital campaign in August to raise $2.2 million toward the purchase.
The building initially served as The Sisters of St. Joseph convent as of 1885 until it became St. Joseph’s High School in 1946.
In 1951, the addition — now known as 88 Mulcaster — was added to the back of the building, as well as an auditorium.
The building has been also home to Barriston Law and the CMHA.
The plan for 90 Mulcaster is to house the organization’s drop-in program, as well as to provide office space for staff of both Busby and other social service organizations, Peddle said.
“It just gives people more elbow room, and more opportunities, too. We have rooms that our community partners can use to meet with people,” she said, noting staff with the places including CMHA, Elizabeth Fry Society Simcoe Muskoka, as well as volunteers for The Listening Post will be among the many organizations able to take advantage of the additional space.
“In our drop-in, it’s literally just finding a quiet corner to speak in where now we will be able to provide them with some office space," Peddle added.
The new space will also include a music room, a computer room and a medical suite.
Peddle says she anticipates it will be a while before the new building is fully operational, as additional work still needs to be completed, including some new flooring and paint.
“We are starting to phase in some things, so we are hoping we will be able to move our drop-in over within the next few weeks and use this space for that," she said.
The overnight shelter will remain at 88 Mulcaster, confirmed Peddle, who said the acquisition of 90 Mulcaster to the organization's address has meant the ability to add 14 much-needed shelter beds.
“Unfortunately, the need is there,” she said. “Our focus will always remain on getting people housed and on housing, but ultimately we need to be here in the interim until we get that housing situation sorted out, because we are in a housing crisis.”
