Released on January 16, 2018
Arm River MLA Greg Brkich, on behalf of Social Services Minister Paul Merriman, joined community members, dignitaries and day program participants in Outlook to celebrate the grand reopening of Variety Place. The day program facility had been closed in order to complete $350,000 in renovation upgrades.
“Community-based organizations like Variety Place play a vital role in supporting people with disabilities,” Brkich said. “The renovation has ensured this building will meet the needs of clients both now and well into the future.”
Variety Place delivers supports and services for 25 people with disabilities. The government provided $350,000 to cover renovation costs to improve and enlarge the participant entry and locker area, redesign the kitchen, food storage areas, physiotherapy/hygiene room and offices, create a participant lounge, sensory room, dedicated exercise space, laundry room, staff room, online training room, sick room and cement patio for summer barbecues. In addition to the day program, Variety Place operates three group homes, a supported living apartment and an independent living apartment.
“The participants, staff and Board of Variety Place Association Inc. wish to express our sincerest appreciation for the capital funding provided to this agency by the Government of Saskatchewan to renovate the day program building,” Variety Place Executive Director Angela Knapik said. “Variety Place Association is dedicated to the participants we serve and this renovation is another example of what we can do together to ensure that people with disabilities in Saskatchewan are able to reach their full potential and enjoy fulfilled lives.”
This renovation supports the Saskatchewan Disability Strategy which was released in June 2015. It focuses on six priority areas including: transportation, respite, accessibility legislation, residential services, service co-ordination and navigation, and awareness/understanding of the rights of people with disabilities.
Saskatchewan residents and communities that have done work which aligns with the Disability Strategy are encouraged to share their accomplishments using the hashtag #SKDisability. The Saskatchewan Disability Strategy Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/skdisability.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Leya Moore
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3610
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-519-7835