Former Workers Compensation Building Sold

Jim Lee, Chairman of the Workers Compensation Board, announced today the sale of the "old Workers Compensation Board office building" at 60 Belvedere Avenue. The new owner is Master Packaging Inc.

Since 1969, when the structure at 60 Belvedere was built by the WCB, it served as the main office of the organization. "For nearly 30 years of our 50 years in business, our old premises on Belvedere Avenue served as 'home' to WCB staff and clients," says Mr. Lee. As services expanded over the years, it was necessary to locate the Occupational Rehabilitation Services division to Beach Grove Home and the Occupational Health & Safety division to the former nurses' residence, Prince Edward Home. Now the whole organization is housed at 14 Weymouth Street in Charlottetown. 14 Weymouth Street was previously the CN Station for the City of Charlottetown. The CADC became the owners of this heritage building after the CN ceased operations in the Province, and in 1996 the Workers Compensation Board purchased the building which provides office accommodations for all the services of WCB in Charlottetown housed in the one location. The Workers Compensation Board has one Occupational Health and Safety Officer housed in the Access PEI office in Summerside. Plans call for an increase in this service level out of Summerside in the near future. "This centralization of services in Charlottetown provides a more convenient, effective and efficient manner of doing business," states Mr. Lee.

Mr. Lee notes that 1999 is the 50th Anniversary for Workers Compensation Legislation in the Province of Prince Edward Island, the Act being proclaimed in 1949. As the times and the needs have changed over the years, it has been a challenge for each administration to meet the needs of our stakeholders. Mr. Lee states the Board members and Staff are pleased to continue their efforts in providing quality service to our stakeholders from our new location at 14 Weymouth Street.