Over 20 people attended the grand opening of Lansdowne Children’s Centre’s new Smilezone installation on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.
The new Smilezone, donated by the Smilezone Foundation with support from long-time donor, Margaret Gurney, features vibrant murals and modernized equipment to both the centre’s main entrance and children’s gymnasium.
From the nature inspired silhouettes to the variety of games, bean bag chairs, a sensory table, and even the multilingual welcome sign, there are plenty of interactive characteristics to be enjoyed by all the children visiting Lansdowne.
The overall aim of a Smilezone is to provide a welcoming environment and a more engaging, comforting space for children and families during their visits to waiting rooms, treatment rooms or custom patient care spaces, and now to Lansdowne.
“For the 4,000 unique kids and their families who come through our doors every year, it really matters where we show up every day,” said Rita-Marie Hadley, Executive Director of Lansdowne Children’s Centre. “It matters where we are welcoming kids into the journey of support so that they can reach their potential through rehabilitation, respite, recreation and developing as a child.”
While the provincial government announced earlier this year that it would be supporting plans for a new Lansdowne Children’s Centre in the near future, Will Bouma, MPP for Brantford-Brant, said that it was important to make the current space as comfortable and welcoming as possible until then.
“You might be thinking, ‘why should we be investing in a building that won’t be in service anymore?’…but when I see a space like this being improved for the children that are served here, I think ‘we’re not done here yet,’” he said. “…One of the things that I appreciate about Lansdowne and everyone that works and volunteers here, is the fact that you all seek to do continuous improvement. …to see a space brightened up, even as it nears the end of life in order to serve people is so commendable. …Thank you for having me here and congratulations on the work that you do every single day with some of the most vulnerable children in our community, you make our community a better place.”
Chris Coderre, a Smilezone Foundation board member, said the new Smilzone is more than just a safe haven, but a place where children and their families can look forward to visiting.
“On behalf of the board, we are so proud and excited to be connected with a great place like Lansdowne,” said Coderre. “…Every child deserves to smile and so when we build these rooms, the whole idea is not just to have a safe haven, but to have a great place that kids want to go to. It’s not only colourful paintings and things hanging from a ceiling, it’s using technology for games that the kids can play and look forward to continuing when they come back tomorrow or next week, or whenever that may be.”
A short while later, Gurney took to the podium to speak about her involvement and the impact of the new Smilezone.
She said that after touring the Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre two years ago, she was in awe and wanted to get involved on the local level.
“I wanted my contribution to be made here locally either in Brant County or Brantford, because this is where I raised my children. I became so eager and excited to be a part of creating something special for the children of Lansdowne but I have to thank everyone at Smile zone that’s being involved in creating what we see here today, … I hope that the Smilezone will continue to put smiles on many children’s faces for years, it’s an honour to be a partner in this,” said Gurney.
Susan Battin, Lansdowne’s Autism Services Manager, also spoke about the reactions and the impact the renovation has made on their clients, families and staff.
“The reaction from our clients has been immediate. As soon as they start walking through the doors, we see them looking up, we see them taking it all in and hanging out in the reception area just a little bit longer in order to garner the experience,” she said. “We’re hearing, ‘wow,’ and ‘awesome,’ and we’ve had a few non verbal reactions as well from our little friends that often do not say a lot. The clients have been blown away by the wonder that this larger space provides. It allows for kids to be kids, and it provides some escape for those who are carrying otherwise heavy loads. …The entire space feels very respectful of different ages, stages and cultures.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
