A planned autism centre on Sea Island will be built in phases after hitting a funding snag.
The Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation will apply for a development permit today hoping to get the green light from the city on a 53,000 square-foot facility that will provide services for autistic children throughout the region.
According to its development application, the foundation will hold off on building a 5,300 square-foot recreation centre that should include a gymnasium, fitness area and other amenities.
The first phase will include various spaces for activities, treatment and education for autistic children. The facility will be a communications hub for autism programs throughout British Columbia and is a first for Metro Vancouver.
It will be located at 1001 Hudson Avenue, north of the BCIT Aerospace Campus. The facility is in the early stages of development and city planners are working through various development requirements with the foundation.
The initial proposal indicated the centre would cost $28 million, with most of the funding coming from provincial grants.
