This year, CASA Centre is celebrating a major milestone: the 10th anniversary of the building.
How we got here
Prior to 1989, northern Alberta families with children facing mental health issues had limited options. A small group of parents and a team of psychiatrists joined forces to provide children with high-quality care in a community setting. CASA Mental Health was incorporated on March 2, 1989, and quickly expanded to meet the mental health needs of children and their families from Edmonton and central and northern Alberta.
In 1991, CASA was serving 450 children and youth a year. The number of patients doubled, then doubled again. Our programs were always full and the waiting list for CASA’s specialized services continued to grow.
By 2003, it was clear that CASA’s facilities – St. Agnes School and the Yellowhead Youth Centre – were not adequate.
Over the next 10 years, CASA’s board of directors advocated for and planned two new facilities: CASA House in Sherwood Park and the tearing down of St. Agnes School – which was in a state of disrepair – to build what’s now CASA Centre.
In May 2014, the Alberta government committed $17 million to help fund a new CASA Centre facility. CASA committed to raising $7 million to furnish and outfit the building.
The CASA Foundation launched a capital campaign, generously led by Dr. Teresa Debevc and George Cantalini. With a small group of campaigners and staff, George and Teresa raised CASA’s profile, engaged a whole new community of donors and raised the funds needed to complete CASA Centre.
This is also when CASA’s longstanding relationship with Clark Builders began. Clark Builders, along with a team of trade partners, constructed CASA Centre, which opened in 2016.
Ten years ago, this beautiful building became a reality thanks to CASA’s donors, supporters, Board of Directors, volunteers and staff.
Today, CASA Centre continues to warmly welcome every patient and family member who walks through its doors.
This state-of-the-art facility is home to many CASA Mental Health programs and services, including our day programs, and it offers a cultural room, a Snoezelen room, music and art therapy spaces and a fully-equipped gym.
Its trauma-informed features are part of what makes it special:
- Artist Ben Davidson’s totem pole that greets every visitor at reception.
- Flexible seating.
- Skylights that allow in natural light.
- Curved walls and hallways.
- Colourful glass windows in the gym.
- And bright, open walkways.
Thank you to everyone who had a hand in the building of CASA Centre – your contribution has had a huge impact on the patients and family members that CASA has served over the past 10 years and will continue to serve into the future.
