An acquired brain injury (ABI) assessment and rehabilitation centre to be built in Sudbury, proposed by the Ontario March of Dimes, took another step towards completion after a $1.4 million funding injection from Queen's Park.

The funding from the province will be added to the $325,000 granted by FedNor May 6, and will be used to convert a former school on Bancroft Drive into an eight-bed congregate care centre.

The centre will feature two one-bedroom assessment transitional units, meeting and therapy space, as well as kitchen, dining, laundry and lounge areas.

The $1.4 million in funding comes from three different agencies. The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation chipped in $806,440, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care is putting forward $464,575 to help cover construction costs, and $200,000 is being promised by the North East Local Health Integration Network to help cover operating costs.

"I am pleased that Sudbury will host this new centre and that affected individuals will now have the opportunity to seek specialized treatment closer to home,” Rick Bartolucci, Sudbury MPP, said in a press release.

The centre could provide up to 29 new jobs.

“We are very excited about the positive impact this funding will have on our ability to create an acquired brain injury congregate care home to service the people of this region," Sherry Frizzell, Regional Independent Living Manager for the Ontario March of Dimes, said.

"Once complete, this new facility will become a regional resource for those in need of the specialized services."