| Work Continues on Casa Connor in Puerto Vallarta for Special Needs Children Greg Amos - Columbia Valley Pioneer | |
| go to original September 14, 2013 |
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This picture from August shows the progress to date on what will become a 10,000 square foot facility offering physical therapy to children in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. (Photo by Peter Oudman)
Nearly two years after its namesake passed away, the Casa Connor physical therapy centre in Mexico has nearly reached first phase completion.
“The walls, roof, plumbing and electrical work is all complete at this point; up next is kitchen construction,” said Connor’s mom, Geraldine Vanderveen.
The 10,000 square foot facility in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is named for Connor Vanderveen, who passed away at age 15 in October 2011 after struggling with Hunter’s Syndrome, a degenerative genetic condition that left him with the physical and mental capacity of an infant.
Connor’s grandparents, Peter and Teena Oudman, are part-time Radium Hot Springs residents who’ve established the Caring Abroad Society of Alberta (CASA) to work towards building the centre in Puerto Vallarta, in conjunction with Pasitos de Luz, a Mexican charity organization.
Once it’s up and running, the building will provide therapy for up to 120 physically disabled children. Thanks to the lower cost of labour in Mexico, the building and all medical equipment is expected to total just $3 million.
The Oudmans visited the project site most recently in August. The project broke ground in July 2011, and is being built on donated land.
Puerto Vallarta was chosen as the site for the centre because Peter and Teena Oudman have a 14-year history volunteering at orphanages and building schools in Mexico, and noticed a devastating lack of resources for individuals with handicaps.
The family has held annual fundraising events at the Radium Valley Vacation Resort for nearly a decade. This year’s fundraiser will take place at the Calgary Christian School tonight, Saturday, September 14th. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling Geraldine Vanderveen at (403) 249-6710 or by email at info@casaconnor.org.
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From the Bay & Beyond
Celebrate a Healthy Lifestyle
From activities like hiking, swimming, bike riding and yoga, to restaurants offering healthy menus, Vallarta-Nayarit is the ideal place to continue - or start - your healthy lifestyle routine.
Banderas Bay offers 34 miles of incomparable coastline in the states of Jalisco and Nayarit, and home to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit's many great destinations.