The Tragic Tale of the Abandoned Southwestern Regional Centre
The Abandoned Southwestern Regional Centre, originally known as the "Ontario Hospital School for Retarded Children at Cedar Springs," was opened in 1961 in Dealtown, Ontario. Built to provide care for individuals with developmental disabilities, the sprawling facility was initially celebrated as a state-of-the-art institution. However, over the decades, the centre's story took a darker turn, leading to its closure in 2008 and eventual demolition in 2020.
The institution was originally designed to offer a safe and supportive environment for residents who needed specialized care. The campus, which spanned 350 acres, included residential buildings, recreational facilities, and therapy spaces. However, as early as the 1970s, reports began to surface indicating issues within the facility. Overcrowding, underfunding, and insufficient staffing led to deteriorating conditions, and what was intended to be a refuge became a site of neglect and mistreatment.
By the 1990s, the Abandoned Southwestern Regional Centre had become the focus of numerous investigations. Allegations of physical, emotional, and psychological abuse were brought to light. Many residents and their families shared harrowing stories of mistreatment, sparking public outrage and calls for reform. Despite efforts to improve conditions, systemic issues persisted, and trust in the institution waned.
A series of lawsuits were filed against the government and the facility's administration, leading to significant legal and financial repercussions. In 2013, a class-action lawsuit was settled for $32.7 million, providing compensation to former residents who suffered harm while living at the centre. The settlement was seen as a step toward justice, but it could not erase the trauma experienced by many.
The closure of the Abandoned Southwestern Regional Centre in 2008 marked the end of an era. The site, left vacant for years, became a haunting reminder of the institution's troubled past. Eventually, in 2020, the remaining structures were demolished, erasing the physical traces of the facility but not the memories of those affected by its history.
Today, the story of the Abandoned Southwestern Regional Centre serves as a stark reminder of the need for oversight, compassion, and accountability in the care of society’s most vulnerable. Though the buildings are gone, the lessons learned remain, urging continuous progress and vigilance to ensure history does not repeat itself.
When did this came out RiddimRyder Photography
There is no video for this one. An older explore I did that I wanted to put together as a blog.
Rimjobs
A little early in the evening for you to be on here, isn’t it?
Sorry it was past bedtime for sure and I meant to write Trim jobs, cutback staff, send patients to the streets isn’t the answer. We should send them to Doug Ford’s house. Maybe allow people to edit their typos before publishing like most blogs do, I’m partially visually impaired.
It’s okay. I thought it was a person who regularly posts vulgar things on my website.
Have a nice day!
no worries I love your photography