Moose Jaw centre for mentally disabled to close by 2016

A Moose Jaw facility for mentally disabled people will closeover the next four years and about 200 patients will be moved into the community, the province announced Friday.

Alternative arrangements will now be made for those now living at the Valley View Centre, with some being transferred to group homes, officials said.

The centre was built in 1955 and was designed to house 1,500 residents but hasn't been taking newpeople since 2002.

Over the decades, there's been a move around North America to have people with mental disabilities integrated into their home communities, rather than placed in large, centralized facilities.

The province says once the last of the residents are moved out, Valley View will be closed.

The Saskatchewan Association for Community Living (SACL), which represents families who have members with mental disabilities, said it supports theidea oftransferring the patients out of Valley View.

However, some people have argued their family members, including some elderly residents, have been there for decades and shouldn't be forced to move.

The province says it will hold a series of meetings and will consult with families to develop services to replace what's now offered at the centre.