The executive director of Community Living Chatham-Kent says the planned phase out of sheltered workshops will affect the Park Ave. and Bloomfield Rd. location, but not for quite some time.
Ron Coristine says there will be no more admissions to the day program but there is no time frame to close it.
"We have had people working in that environment for several years for up to five days a week, and anything that occurs has to be done with great sensitivity mindful of the fact there has to be a viable option or viable options for them," he says. "There's really going to be a generous time frame."
Coristine says the Parkfield restaurant and the library cafe will continue to operate.
He says the cut-off point seems to be that sheltered workshop programs pay less than minimum wage while those working in the food operation are paid minimum wage or better. He adds he doesn't believe the ministry wants people working at less than minimum wage and he supports that view.
He says it will look for new uses for the Park Ave. and Bloomfield Rd. property and try to find ways to place many of the participants with private sector companies.
