Multi-million-dollar autism centre opens in Richmond

B.C. Premier Christy Clark was accompanied byfederal, provincialand municipal politicians to officially open theGoodLife Fitness Family Autism Hub in Richmond on Wednesday.

"Iam so proud to be a very small part of this," said Clark. "And so proud to see all of you, who have been such a very big part of creating something unique for the world. We have all done it together."

The attendeesincluded Canada's Minister of Sport andPersons with DisabilitiesCarlaQualtroughand Richmond MayorMalcolmBrodie, but most of the smiles at the opening ceremony were on the faces of peoplewho will be using the centre.

Patricia James is looking forward to using the centre for her 7-year-old son, Damon.

"I feel absolutely empowered as a parent to have a centre like this open," said James.

Damon was diagnosed with autism fouryears ago. James sayssince then, there hasn't been anywhere she has felt she could go to get the help they need.

She says the new facility will change that.

"There are dental services in here, there's a blood-lab so we can draw blood if we need to for any medical purposes," said James.

"There's going to be daycare, pre-schools and treatments that are all created for individuals that are on the spectrum."

State-of-the-art facility

The Pacific Autism Family Network is behind the 60,000 square-foot centreand says the state-of-the-art facility for people with autism is a first for North America.

The$28-million centre will support the roughly 69,000 people of all agesin B.C. that have autism spectrum disorder.

The hub is slated to be aone-stop shopfor families looking for support withautism and related disorders.

It will include clinics, labs, classrooms, observation roomsand research spaces.

Although the hub is located in Richmond,eight other "spokes" will be located throughout B.C.

Premier Clark says the province contributed $20 million towards the hub.

"Iknow you want to know that your money gets spent well and that it gets spent on people who need it," said Clark.

"Because in a society that is worthy, we are surely defined by how well we look after those who need a little bit of help," Clark added. "This organization, this facility meets that gold standard like almost nowhere else in the world."