History

The grounds and area surrounding Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care are steeped in history.

1814: Lt.-Gov. John Graves Simcoe chooses a 380-acre site on Penetanguishene Harbour for a naval and military base to protect the Upper Great Lakes from American threats following the War of 1812.

1855: The military site is decommissioned and turned over to the Government of Upper Canada.

1859: Boys Reformatory of Upper Canada is established in the abandoned barracks.

1870: Barracks are consumed in a fire, leading to the construction of a new building higher up the hill.

1904: Reformatory residents are moved to other provincial institutions or community placements, and the building is converted into a facility for individuals suffering from mental-health problems.

1933: The first four wards of the Oak Ridge building are constructed. During this period, the name of the entire institution is changed to Ontario Hospital.

1950s: Four wards are added to Oak Ridge, bringing the patient capacity to 300.

1967: Brébeuf and Bayfield buildings are opened. The identical buildings were designed as apartment-style living quarters to simulate life in the community.

1969: The name of the institution is changed to the Mental Health Centre, and work begins on the Toanche Building.

1989: Construction of the Oak Ridge Activity Centre, with a new pool and gym, is completed.

2007: The Ontario Government includes funding to replace the aging Oak Ridge building in its budget.

2008: Waypoint is divested from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to a public hospital corporation, sponsored by the Catholic Health Sponsors of Ontario.

2011: As part of a rebranding process, the hospital changes its name to Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.

2014: The purpose-built, state-of-the-art Atrium building opens its doors to patients from Oak Ridge and Brébeuf.

Today, the hospital has an extensive range of acute and longer-term psychiatric inpatient, outpatient, community-based and forensic programs to meet the diverse needs of people of all ages, cultures and identities.