b'CHANGING THE STORYNew Toba Centre in Assiniboine Park will provide a healing space for children experiencing abuseBy Matthew BradfordThe Toba Centre for Children & YouthIn response, she continues, the newcentred services (e.g., police, medical is bringing a new multi-disciplinaryspace will serve as a platform for aand social work). child advocacy centre to Winnipegstotally new way to respond to childFirst and foremost: its designed for Assiniboine Park. The first-of-its-kindabuse, where children exposed tokids, says Christina Legris, Partner facility will serve as a new home forviolence and abuse can stay in a safeand Architect with Number TEN. The the charitable organization and a safe,place and access critical services andexterior renovation transforms this healing and supportive environmentsupports in one location, rather thanred-bricked, institutional building into a for children who have experienced orhaving to navigate a sprawling system. space that looks fun and inviting.been witness to incidents of abuse.Its not just a better environment; itsLegris explains that the design includes Honestly, I cant think of anythinga space where we can fundamentallymirrored panels to reflect the beauty more important to our community thanchange the story, says Dzikowicz. of the forest, and pops of colours at the this, says Christy Dzikowicz, ExecutiveDESIGNED FOR KIDS windows and entrance to make it less Director at Toba Centre. Child abuseBockstael Construction and Numberintimidating for the visiting children and is a significant problem in our provinceTEN Architectural Group are workingfamilies. A custom birch tree forest and in society as a whole. We knowwith Toba to help tell that story. Thewall featuring a variety of the provinces that there are about 4,000 child abuseteam is renovating a former three- native animals has also been included investigations in Manitoba each year,storey nunnery and school into ato help bring the outside forest setting and that number only reflects the19,000-sq.-ft. space for Tobas team,into the building.children and families that private accommodations for childrenOther architectural highlights include come forward. and their families, and in-house, child- an open, interconnecting staircase that 48 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca'