Pine Ridge Centre (Ont.)

• Pine Ridge Centre

• Ontario Hospital, Aurora

Originally known as the Ontario Hospital, Aurora , Pine Ridge Centre opened in 1950 to accommodate overcrowding and growth at the Ontario Hospital, Orillia. The new facility was located on the site of the former De la Salle College and was one of several facilities for developmentally handicapped chidren and adults established and operated by the Department of Health.

The hospital was led by an Adminstrator who had overall responsibility for the management and operation of the facility. Reporting directly to the Administrator were: the Director of Training (responsible for developing and maintaining optimum standards for resident training and clinical areas), the Health Services Supervisor (responsible for the infirmary and matters relating to staff and public health), and the Supervisor of Saff Development (responsible for developing and assessing training programs for staff).

The hospital also employed social workers, occupational therapists, psychologists, and recreation directors who were responsible for developing and delivering programs to assist patients. Programs included arts and crafts, music, individual and group counselling, psychological testing and physical education. The hospital provided a community placement program designed to give employment and socialization experiences to residents.

Wth the passing of the Departmental Services act in 1974, responsibility for mental retardation facilities was transferred from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Community and Social Services. The Ontario Hospital was among the facilities included in this transfer. During the period, the name of the facility was changed to the Pine Ridge Centre.

In 1982, the Ministry of Community and Social Services announced a five-year plan to consolidate facilities for the developmentally disabled and expand community services. This plan included transferring approximately 1,000 residents of government owned and operated facilities to communities, resulting in the closure of six facilities, including the Pine Ride Centre. The facility closed in 1984-1985.

Pine Ridge Centre was a facility in Aurora, Ontario that housed, assessed and treated developmentally disabled male adults.

Pine Ridge Centre was established by the Ministry of Health in 1950 as the Ontario Hospital, Aurora to provide in-patient services to approximately 150-200 male residents over the age of 16 The hospital offered a wide range of education, mental and physical health services to residents including physical recreation, occupational therapy, psychological assessment and counselling and life skills development.

RAD: Rules for Archival Description, 2nd edn (2008)

2026-11-16: migrated to AtoM

Department of Health and Minsitry of Community and Social Services Annual Reports; Functional Analysis for the Developmental Services Sub-Function in the Ministry of Community and Socail Servies, 1998; Pine Ridge functional organization chart,

Archivist(s):
Ledwell