While controversy hovers around a proposed women's addiction treatment centre at the former Haldi Road elementary school, another proposed centre is facing a major hurdle.
The Hutda Lake Wellness Centre Society is proposing a 40-bed addictions treatment centre at a former correctional institute 30 kilometres from Prince George on Shesta Lake Road.
One of the biggest barriers facing the Hutda Lake Wellness Centre is the proposed location, the former Hutda Lake Correctional Camp, is currently part of treaty negotiations between the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation and the provincial government, society spokesperson Murry Krause said.
"The Lheidli T'enneh are very supportive of having it," Krause said. "Of course, the province is only willing to release that property from treaty once there is a business plan and funding model in place. That work is ongoing."
Lheidli T'enneh Chief Dominic Frederick could not be reached for comment as of press time. A spokesperson for the B.C. Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation could not comment as of press time.
The society is also looking for other potential locations to develop a treatment centre which could developed more quickly, Krause said.
Krause said the proposed centre is not in competition with the proposed Northern Supportive Recovery Centre for Women on Leslie Road.
"I certainly don't see this as Haldi Road verses Hutda Lake - there is plenty of work to go around," Krause said.
Krause, who sits on city council, twice voted against a rezoning of the former Haldi Road elementary school. Third reading of the rezoning was approved on Oct. 3 and the final reading of the rezoning bylaw was approved by city council on Dec. 12.
"My vote on Leslie Road was nothing more than being consistent with the my vote on third reading," Krause said.
In October, Krause said the proposed Haldi Road elementary school was, "the wrong location," for a women's addiction treatment centre.
That proposal has faced significant opposition from area residents. On Monday Leslie Road resident Janice Sevin legal challenge against the city seeking the B.C. Supreme Court quash the rezoning bylaw.
