Southwestern Regional Centre

Opened in 1961 the provincially operated facility housed developmently disabled adults in an institutional setting. Originally designed to accomodate children under 10 years old it was the last massive institution built in Ontario for the treatment of the mentally disabled. In 1966 there was a resident population of 1,200 and a staff of 600. By 1979 the resident population had been reduced to 620 as changes in policy emphasized the use of smaller home like facilities. Later the centre shifted to serving adults and senior citizens.

The 300 acre facility closed in 2008 following the government's decision to move from institutional based services to a community based approach.