After being just a dream six years ago, an official grand opening was held earlier today (June 16) for the public to tour the Foundry Cariboo Chilcotin and ask questions about the services they offer to youth in the Lake City and surrounding areas.

Executive Director for the Child Development Centre and the Foundry, Vanessa Riplinger, said she was excited to be there.

“This is a place where wellness takes place. It’s for ages 12 to 24 offering counselling, primary care, social services, peer support. We offer so much at the Foundry, it’s amazing.”

Sean Magee, Vice President Corporate Affairs, Taseko Mines Limited was also at the Foundry’s opening and presented a cheque for $15 thousand.

“We’re actually really proud to say both Taseko, Corporately in Vancouver, and Gibraltar Mines, have contributed to the Foundry. We’re really thrilled to come down and see what a really wonderful facility that was put together for youth and designed by the youth who are clients. For us Williams Lake is our home community. The health and well being of this community and the people who live here is important to us so we’re really proud to be community partners with the Foundry.”

Foundry Manager Mike Franklin said since the Foundry opened last December they have seen a steady increase as it works on word of mouth and trust with people.

“As young people come in they tell a friend who tells a friend and those numbers have been trending exactly how we thought that they would and hoped that they would. We see about 60 different youth a week and I think we’re somewhere in the neighbourhood of about 700 visits since January.”

Last December Foundry Cariboo Chilcotin was the 14th centre to open in the province and is operated by the Child Development Centre in collaboration with multiple partner organizations.