It has been a long journey for Dr. Carl Adrian and his wife Michelle Copithorne but tomorrow (September 22) the couple will warmly welcome the public to tour Cochrane's newest health centre.

'Dara Health' has been a dream of the Cochrane couple for quite some time and after a two-year restoration project, they are looking forward to inviting the public at large to view how the past and future have come together.

Filling a much-needed niche for the Cochrane community, the vision of Dara Health is to build up resources for mental health care under the care of a collaborative team. Copithorne, shares Dr. Adrian is the only practicing full-time psychiatrist in the area and mental health treatment is noted to be desperately needed. "Our long-term goal is to bring in different therapists, social workers, and other mental health professionals who would join our team at Dara Health to provide a collaborative, yet independent, professional environment for mental health care."

The name 'Dara' is derived from an ancient Celtic knotwork symbol of an oak tree and signifies resilience and interconnectedness. Reminding us that beneath our surface (beneath the soil) we have vastly Divine inner resources (root system) that lend us wisdom and stability regardless of the circumstances we see around us.

With Dara Health's services being provided in a home with lengthy historical roots, it comes together quite nicely. 

When the couple saw the for sale sign on the McNamee house, their intrigue into the historical home led them down a path where their dream would become a reality.

The McNamee Home was built in 1911 and home to Cochrane's first officially married couple.  Robert (Bob) McNamee and his wife Catherine, raised eleven children in the home which was constructed by the Chapman Bros out of original Cochrane brick. With the home's lengthy roots, Michelle and Carl decided to breathe new life into the 107-year-old historical residence.

While bulldozing the property and building from scratch would have been easier, cheaper and far less time consuming, it was all part of the journey. "We decided to bite the bullet and look into the restoration of it and that was back in the spring of 2016. There were problems that cropped up but that is standard for any property and there wasn't anything that wasn't manageable. The Town of Cochrane did instigate some rules and regulations that we had to challenge, however, things got sorted out in the long run and we have an amazing product at the end of all the work."

Copithorne and Adrian would encourage other people to consider taking the same path they did by preserving Cochrane's history. "By preserving Cochrane's history in this kind of way and putting it towards the development of a better community through commercial development, I think only makes sense, because you are helping your community and maintaining its history."

Working alongside contractor/landscape design experts 'OnGrowing Works' and the creative flair from interior design firm 'Rochelle Lynne Design' the McNamee house has been transformed into a modern business while keeping true to its historical era. "I love the fact that we were able to highlight some of the historical pieces within, for example, like the original chimney that runs throughout the centre core of the house I love the fact that we were able to salvage the pocket doors which were in the original parlour and the basement...oh my goodness it's a total transformation and it's a wonderful workspace now. And then finally, seeing the landscaping coming together it was just the icing on the cake. The whole thing has been an eye-opening experience in a wonderful way."

Giving credit to both the contractor and design firm, Michelle says they both stepped up to the plate. "They understood our vision of what we wanted to do long-term with the property and then brought their expertise and really made an effort to preserve the history and the story of the property, which was our goal. I was daily humbled by the work they did and the passion they brought to the project."

Currently, Dara Health will only be focused on treating adults but there is a possibility the centre could also serve youth and children down the road. While you will need a doctor referral to access services provided by Dr. Adrian, the long-term vision is to have a team of mental health professionals collaborating together which could lead the way to a psychiatric consult. "At this point, we can't accept walk-in patients but that will hopefully change in the future."

You are invited to drop by Dara Health tomorrow (September 22) anytime between 10 am and 4 pm to check out the restoration work done on the McNamee residence located at 305 Ross Avenue. Besides Michelle and Dr. Adrian being on site to welcome the public and answer any questions about the restoration work, so will members of CHAPS (Cochrane Historical and Archival Preservation Society) to answer any questions on the historical significance of the home.

Below is information on leasing opportunities at Dara Health.