Media Advisory: Woodlands Institution Demolition Ceremony to be Led by Former Residents, Advocates

Media Advisory - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Woodlands Institution Demolition Ceremony to be Led by Former Residents, Advocates

New Westminster, B.C., October 14, 2011 - The “Centre Block” of Woodlands Institution in New Westminster will be demolished on October 18, 2011. The Centre Block represents one the last and most imposing physical reminders of the Woodlands Institution, which confined and segregated people with disabilities in BC from 1878 until 1996.

The Need to Know, a report completed by former BC Ombudsman Dulcie McCallum in 2001, confirmed allegations by former residents that they experienced abuse and neglect - and that abuse at the institution was systemic. In The Need to Make Amends, a report by the BC Self Advocacy Foundation based on consultations with former residents following the release of McCallum’s report, survivors called for the demolition of the institution buildings. New Westminster City Council approved the demolition on July 12, 2011.

BC People First Society invites media, along with former residents, their supporters and interested citizens to attend a ceremony to recognize the significance of the event for former residents and the community as a whole. The ceremony will be held in front of the Centre Block site immediately prior to the demolition.

The following spokespersons will be at the ceremony and available to speak to media after the ceremony:

• Lorie Sherritt, President, People First Society of BC
• Richard McDonald, former resident of Woodlands and member of People First Society of BC
• Faith Bodnar, Executive Director, BC Association for Community Living

Date: October 18, 2011

Time:

Ceremony: 12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Demolition: 1:30 p.m.

Location:

The Centre Block is located between Royal Avenue and Columbia St, east of McBride Blvd in New Westminster.

Parking is available at the Queen’s Park Arenex, off 3rd Avenue west of McBride. Take the pedestrian overpass at 3rd Ave. and McBride, and walk down Ross Drive.

Media Inquiries:

Danielle Kelliher
Director of Communications
BC Association for Community Living
(604) 777-9100 ext. 527
dkelliher@bcacl.org