Remodel will allow Weigand Center to provide mental health services to those in need

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The expanded Weigand Center will be able to help individuals in crisis and provide updated services for the unsheltered.

SALT LAKE CITY — An extensive building project is underway at Catholic Community Services’ Weigand Center at 437 West 200 South in Salt Lake City. The expansion will increase the building’s space from 10,633 square feet to 16,212.

The center is named for the Most Rev. William K. Weigand, seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City,

Opened by CCS in 1996, the former mechanic’s shop has provided daytime shelter, hygiene products, laundry and showering facilities, along with a computer lab where the unsheltered can get help with writing resumes and assistance in applying for jobs. It has also been used as an overflow shelter when other shelters are full.

However, one need that has not been addressed adequately is that of those in a mental health crisis, CCS Basic Needs Director Randy Chappell said. In the past, CCS has had to refer those individuals to other agencies.

“The purpose of the square footage is to add in a mental health facility where we will work with individuals under crisis, help them with any issues that they are facing, but then also work with them on any drug rehabilitation as well,” Chappell said. “The hard part is, do we actually know if they got to those other providers? So we can do it on site, and then we can take care of those issues right then and there.”

“We’ve been able to help with the employment side of things,” Chappell added. “We have an employment specialist, we have a housing specialist, we have case management; the biggest thing we needed on campus was the mental health piece.”

CCS will rely on another agency to provide those services, Chappell said. “There’s no need for CCS to duplicate services when it comes to that part of it.”

In addition to mental health services, the expansion, which is being completed by Tom Stevens Construction, will include a new chapel, an open area to provide shelter, updated women’s and men’s showers and an updated laundry. The building’s computer lab will also be expanded from six to 14 stations. Statistics show that the services at the Weigand Center are highly used; more than 51,000 individuals scanned into the Weigand Center last year.

The expanded facility will give unsheltered individuals a better place where they can receive services, Chappell said. “It will show that there’s individuals out there that really care for them and helping them get out of their situations. So, I think it just gives them a more friendly and welcoming environment where they can receive support and help.”

Construction began last summer on the $7 million expansion and is expected to be completed by January 2026. It is being funded by grants from the ALSAM Foundation, other private foundations and individual donations, Chappell said.

 Those who are interested in contributing may do so by visiting the CCS website or by contacting Chappell at rchappell@ccsutah.org.