OHIP COVERAGE HAS CHANGED

- SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 -

Welcome!

The skilled optometrists and opticians at Family Vision Centre have looked after Sudbury’s vision needs since 1972. From comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fitting, designer eyewear, to laser surgery consultations, our experienced professionals can help you through the process.

Familiar faces as new owners

February 1st, 2024 Family Vision Centre had an exciting change of ownership. Long-term patients will recognized these new owners as well established doctors at our clinic. Drs. Levesque, Lamothe, and Van Alstine are eager to take on this role and continue the legacy that Dr. Skilling set out.

Our Team.

We pride ourselves in embracing the "family" in Family Vision Centre. Our team is here to support you in you vision care needs while, also providing service with a smile.

Celebrating Family Vision Centre’s 50th Anniversary (1972-2022)

Deep Roots in the Community

Family Vision Centre is the only business remaining of the original tenants at the New Sudbury Centre’s opening in 1972. The practice is located on the second floor of the mall above the food court. Family Vision Centre, formerly Skilling, Peloso and Maki Optometrists, has roots deeply entrenched in the Greater Sudbury community.

In 1970 Dr. John Skilling, having graduated from the School of Optometry at the University of Toronto, returned to Sudbury to set up a practice with Dr. John Bell. At the time, “optometric professional services” were available only in the downtown core.

Consequently, in 1972, Skilling and Bell opened a part-time practice in the New Sudbury Centre. The office was located in a section of the mall known as Rue La Ronde, the first enclosed shopping facility in Sudbury. The remainder of the New Sudbury Centre was in a strip mall format, with Woolco and Loblaws at opposite ends.

Changes to Come

In 1974 the practice grew to a full-time operation with Dr. Mario Peloso joining the practice. A significant change came in 1985 when the mall was totally enclosed and was comprised of Woolco, Sears, Taste Buds Food Court, and the Galleria Offices. Over the years many aspiring students were welcomed into the practice. Many of these students came back as optometrists to serve the community that supported them.

New Name

In keeping with these changing times, the name of the practice changed to Family Vision Centre. Dr. Skilling wanted a name that conveyed our practice's wide range of vision services to the entire family.

We have seen patients as young as a few weeks old, and beyond 100 years old. We continually strive to embrace this name and to provide the best possible care to individuals of all ages.

More Expansion and Renovation

In 2005, the New Sudbury Office expanded by renovation to add much-needed space in all areas of practice. Included in this addition was another examination room to accommodate new associates. Dr. Julia Levesque then joined the practice in 2013 and continues to serve patients at Family Vision Centre. Another renovated area became a pretest room where we now specialize in diagnostic testing. A second pretest room was required in the fall of 2014 to accommodate an Optical Coherence Tomography Scanner. Since then, Family Vision Centre has welcomed Dr. Paul Lamothe in 2016, Dr. Megan

Van Alstine in 2019, and welcomed back Dr. Monique Binks, also in 2019.

Opticians & Optometric Assistants

In 1999 Debbie Bonhomme was the first Optician to join the office. Dr. Skilling wanted to offer his patients a more in-depth understanding of the optics of lenses by providing patients an Optician's expertise. Over the years, Family Vision Centre has added other Opticians, and currently has Jackson Skilling, Sabrina Lamothe, and Ariadne Gubbels serving patients as well. Two Optometric Assistants, Lucy Neeley and Amy Jones, trained by the College of Optometrists Assistants program, also assist in frame selection, repairs, and adjustments for patients.

Family Vision Centre Today

In 2024, Family Vision Centre started an exciting new chapter. Three of the students Dr. Skilling had mentored and supported on their journey to becoming optometrists took the leap into practice ownership. Dr.'s Levesque, Lamothe, and Van Alstine are eager to uphold the high standard Dr. Skilling set in his 51 years as an optometrist.

Looking back over the years, Dr. Skilling said the one common factor that stands out as a constant in the practice is change. Dr's Levesque, Lamothe, and Van Alstine have carried on this mentality in their work, constantly adapting to match patient needs and changes in the industry. Patients can expect the same warm welcome and careful care they have come to appreciate at the Family Vision Centre.