House of Friendship to begin reconstruction of addiction centre in Cambridge

Reconstruction on an Cambridge addiction centre that went up in flames in May is resuming, but the opening of the facility will need to be pushed back by a year.

The House of Friendship announced reconstruction work at the centre located on Concession Road will be covered by insurance.

The project was initiallyscheduled to be completed this month. Now, House of Friendship executive director John Neufeld says they'll be moved in by the late spring or early summer of 2020.

In a statement about the reconstruction, Neufeld said they're "excited to be able to once again move forward for the much needed addiction treatment centre."

"While it has been a tough few months for our team, we are grateful the amazing outpouring of care and encouragement we have seen from this community," Neufeld said. "It is this support that strengthens us as we take the next steps toward making this facility a reality."

Crews were called to the building for reports of a fire at 3:30 a.m. on May 1. The fire has been deemed suspicious and police are conducting an ongoing criminal investigation.

Neufeld says security will be hired to patrol the area around the building during non-construction hours for the duration of the building project.