$1 million donation for Edmonton Autism Centre

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$1 million donation for Edmonton autism centre

Bavaria BMW owner donates money and land

Don Retson, edmontonjournal.com

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=73f8a37f-

ca0a-467f-a7f5-7509f725e354

Published: Thursday, September 25

EDMONTON - A $1-million donation by the owner of Bavaria BMW in

Edmonton has launched into high gear plans for a local treatment

centre for children with autism.

Klaus Maier announced today he's giving land where the treatment

centre will be built and also donating funds for the construction of

a $4.5-million treatment facility.

" Children with autism in Edmonton are in desperate need of a

treatment centre, " Maier said at a media conference held on the

vacant parcel of land he's donating at 17451 103rd Ave.

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Rendering of proposed Edmonton autism centre

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Font:****Maier noted that such a treatment centre exists in Calgary,

but that in Edmonton many families have to wait at least a year for

developmental treatment for their children.

He wants to change that.

" Edmonton has been good to my family and now we would like to give

back to the community, " said Maier, president of Bavaria BMW.

The facility, the first of its kind in Edmonton, will be named the

Maier Centre for Autism Services. Children's Autism Services of

Edmonton is hoping the centre will be operational within two years.

CEO Terri Duncan said Maier's $1 million donation in land and money

means the agency is now well on its way to creating a legacy of

treatment and hope for local children with autism.

The autism agency is the city's leading non-profit provider of of

autism therapy for children and support for their families.

" Edmonton will soon be home for a world-class treatment facility for

children with autism, " said Duncan, who's hoping Maier's donation

will prompt other businesses to come forward.

Over the next few months, she said the agency will also seek funding

from the province.

Autism is a serious neurological disorder that affects one in 166

children.

dretson@...