The Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation hopes to get one step closer to breaking ground on a 60,000 square foot facility on Sea Island after seeking approval from the City of Richmond.
The application will go to a development permit panel today and is recommended by staff that it be approved by city councillors.
The $28 million building, replete with soft lighting, would be built next to the BCIT Aerospace campus by the non-profit organization, which has raised the money for the facility through private and public funds.
The foundation's CEO, Sergio Cocchia, said $20 million has come from a provincial government grant while the remaining funds will come from donations. A $5 million endowment fund will help kick-start the operations.
The facility would be a destination for families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It will house clinics, labs, classrooms, observation rooms, research spaces and a library.
According to Cocchia, the facility plans to be an important research and service hub in the province. Similar facilities exist across North America but this will be the first of its kind in B.C. "One concern for autism is building capacity for service providers outside of the Lower Mainland," said Cocchia.
The Richmond location will serve eight satellite locations across B.C. through a remote IT health service network. "We've engaged a community of about 85 professionals. The centralization will greatly enhance the ability of service providers to reach families," said Cocchia.
According to the foundation's website, the disorder has a variety of effects on people, including difficulties with communication and social interactions, repetitive interests and activities and stereotypic motor behaviours.
The foundation claims ASD occurs in approximately one in 68 births and is four to five times more common in boys. It's estimated about 60,000 people affected by ASD in B.C., including 10,000 under age 19. The causes of and cure for ASD are still unknown.
The building itself is designed to provide soft, non-glare natural lighting with glazed windows. Also, neutral colours will be used to create a calm interior design as to make it more welcoming for those who suffer from over-sensitivity to their surroundings.
The design primarily uses wood and has LEED silver equivalent standards. The building will also incorporate space for a future trail to be built along the dyke.
If approved, site preparation could begin this summer.
