Left: Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill at the grand opening, and, right: everyone gathers for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Improving accessibility

BRSI celebrates completion of renovations at day program facility

Oct 21, 2022 | 4:52 PM

Battlefords Residential Services Inc. (BRSI) celebrated the completion of renovations at its BRIDGE day program facility on Friday.

The project was completed in 2021, but the organization held the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the location on 111 Street in North Battleford today.

BRSI is a non-profit corporation that provides residential and support services in the Battlefords for individuals with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. The services are provided through six group homes, a Supported Living Program, and the Day Program- BRIDGE.

The program name BRIDGE stands for Battlefords Residential Services Inc. Individual Developmental Growth Education.

BRSI Executive Director Trudy Kern said the renovated space for the day program is now more open and more accommodating for people with accessibility issues. It also is a brighter and more welcoming space for clients using the services.

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Kern is thrilled with the newly improved space to benefit the clients.

At one time this site was used for a group home as well as the day program. The group home was later relocated, so the facility was then dedicated solely for use for the BRIDGE day program instead. The recent renovations helped modify the space, and also create a large open kitchen area and spacious, accessible activity area. The day program currently has nine clients using its services.

BRSI board chairperson Yvonne Nyholt thanked all those involved in the project.

“The young people in our care did not ask for the challenges they have to face day to day,” she said. “We as a community must love them, care for them and support them so they have quality of life and reach their highest potential.”

The capital project was funded through support from the province, as well as contributions from BRSI’s reserve funding, approved by the board of directors.

Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill spoke at the gathering, on behalf of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services.

“Battlefords Residential Services, they have been a pretty key pillar in our community since the 1980s, in terms of working with people in our community with intellectual disabilities and helping them achieve their full potential,” he said. “With this investment we’ve made today, helping them with a $110,000 capital contribution to the renovation of this facility here, it is going to help the organization. It is going to help Trudy [Kern] and her whole team here continue the level of service they have had for so many years here in the Battlefords.”

North Battleford Mayor David Gillan, Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie, and RM of North Battleford Reeve Dan Bartko also took part in the ceremony.

Gillan said the project is an important development for the Battlefords and the region.

“These sorts of projects create inclusivity in our community,” he said.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow