Neighbours of the former Haldi school past College Heights are wondering if the rumours are true -- is a women's addictions treatment facility moving in?
The answer is yes, according to a news release issued Wednesday from the Northern Supportive Recovery Centre for Women.
"It has long been a dream of this community to have services like this right here at home in the North," said Dr. Michelle Sutter, spokesperson for the centre's board. "For far too long, Northern women have had to wait for months and travel to Vancouver to receive in house recovery services."
Neighbouring Leslie Road resident Laura Jagodnik is wondering why she only heard about the proposal while attending a garage sale held by the building's previous owners two weeks ago.
"They said the owners who purchased the property are going to open a drug and rehab centre for women," Jagodnik said. "There has nothing been given to us. Not that I'm against a facility of that sort, but we don't have any answers. The main question around here is what kind of care is it?"
The former school is currently zoned for a single-family dwelling, according to a property information report from the city. In 2011, the assessed value of the land and building was $407,000.
City acting director of planning and development Dan Milburn said no application to rezone the property has been filed with the city as of Tuesday afternoon.
Sutter said the facility "will compliment the great work being done by other service agencies in Prince George and the North and help countless women long into the future."
And according to the release, the next steps for the society will be to "confirm the facility location after consultation with the neighborhood and raise $400,000 to be used for furniture, equipment and supplies.
"A full neighborhood consultation and open house will be conducted commencing next week to involve the 65 neighboring households in the process of site selection," said Sutter. "Members of the society will be distributing invitations door-to-door beginning on Friday May 6 and Saturday May 7."
In the meantime, Jagodnik is compiling questions and concerns.
She said she's worried a long-term care facility with residents coming and going would have a different impact than a detox facility or short-term treatment facility.
"This could totally, totally change our neighbourhood," Jagodnik said. "What kind of people will it draw into our neighbourhood? If it has been bought up by a Vancouver association, are they going to have any concern for the community?"
According to the release, the Northern Supportive Recovery Centre Society board was selected "for their strong Northern roots combined with unique knowledge, skill and ability in the areas of medicine, social work, financial management and social advocacy."
Several members of the board had also been members of the Baldy Hughes men's addictions treatment facility until recently, when Lower Mainland directors recently took over the facility. And former Baldy Hughes executive director Marshall Smith is also heavily involved in the project.
Jagodnik also has concerns about the well and septic system at the former school, asking will it have the capacity to handle the increased use without impacting water quality for the area?
"My kids went to that school, when it was open, and the last year they couldn't drink the water - we had to bring bottled water," she said.
Other residents, like Michael Busch of Haldi Lake Road, hadn't heard about the proposal until asked by The Citizen about the issue.
"You'd think they'd send something to the neighbours. It's important that they canvas the neighbourhood," he said. "I'm just taken aback. I'm not for it or against it, but I need more information."
Neighbours on Birchill Road Dawn Teichman and Dan Gaboury hadn't heard about the proposal either.
"Do they get out a lot? What kind of people are they?" Teichman asked.
But not all neighbours are fretting over the initiative.
Gaboury said he'd like more information about the proposal, but wasn't overly concerned.
"I don't see any particular reason why I'd be against it."
Haldi Lake Road resident Sharon Ehm said she too had heard about the proposal at the former owners' garage sale.
"As far as I'm concerned, I think it's a good idea. I'm all for addiction treatment centres," Ehm said. "I don't mind it near by, as long as it's secure."
What is the Northern Supportive Recovery Centre for Women?
The Northern Supportive Recovery Society board includes Dr. Michelle Sutter, Ann Marie Henderson, Roberta Kreitz,Tom Sentes, Rod Bellman, Peter Tiani and Selen Alpay.
According to the board's press release, the Northern Supportive Recovery Centre for Women will be "a healing community for adult women who have lost touch with their authentic selves."
The centre will offer a residence for up to 30 women who will address a wide range of issues including alcoholism and substance abuse as well as anxiety, codependency, avoidance and recovery from grief and loss.
"The Northern Supportive Recovery Centre will be located away from the daily demands and influences of their lives, the women will begin to feel free to focus on themselves, and take new risks to explore and change."
Daily services will be provided by round-the-clock staff, with group activities in the evening that include varied 12-step meetings.
"Women will receive complete social, spiritual and medical assessments along with individualized, outcome-based recovery planning," states the release.
"An integrated team will offer experiential, community-as-method, cognitive/behavioral and expressive techniques, as well as culturally sensitive ceremonial experiences."
Research and referrals for ongoing support will be offered and after discharge, the program will provide access to weekend workshops which will be free of charge, weekly open 12-step meetings, and an alumni support group.
