Rehab facility envisioned for Centennial neighbourhood

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This article was published 14/03/2022 (1344 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A proposed neighbourhood rehabilitation home would strive to help Winnipeggers recover from addictions, with services that could extend over a few years for some patients.

Adult and Teen Challenge of Central Canada plans to convert an industrial building at 83 Kate St. in the Centennial neighbourhood into a new addictions treatment centre, which would also incorporate 18 apartments for a transitional successful housing program.

“I really believe we can really help families and people cut down on the time that they’re in the destructive pattern of the devastation of addiction and find complete freedom,” said Daniel Emond, the organization’s president. “We hope and pray that our city will embrace and help us… and (help) make this dream a reality.”

The facility would offer 20-bed short-term and 45-bed long-term recovery programs, as well as transitional housing that helps people who need it gradually re-enter the broader community. Some people who require all those steps could spend years in treatment.

“It covers all stages of recovery and the full spectrum of services,” said Emond.

The facility would be a positive addition to the neighbourhood, he said.

“The traffic that we would create is actually good traffic. It’s people that are changing their lives, that want help. It wouldn’t be driving drugs or drug dealers or crime to the area,” said Emond.

The full spectrum of treatment services would be expected to increase the likelihood of successful outcomes, while one- to three-bedroom apartments could help families stay close to the person recovering from addiction, he said.

“We can actually help families. Maybe dad’s struggling with alcohol addiction and mom’s not able to make the mortgage or just in crisis. We want to be able to bring the whole family into the facility,” he said.

The project is expected to cost about $8.5 million, with a fundraising campaign expected to begin after a City of Winnipeg zoning process wraps up.

While the area is already zoned for residential development, the proposal requires a conditional use hearing at city council’s Lord Selkirk-West Kildonan community committee on March 18.

The warehouse building is a unique and beautiful structure that is more than 100 years old, Emond said, noting it is worth keeping and renovating

Adult and Teen Challenge already operates other recovery beds in the city, but Emond said the pandemic, along with rising food prices, economic uncertainty and other factors, is fuelling a sharp increase in demand for more addictions treatment spaces.

“It’s devastating to see some of the people with needles and methamphetamine in complete psychosis. There is more of a need than ever (for treatment) with the uncertainty of the world,” he said.

A city report on the proposal describes the facility as a good fit for the surrounding neighbourhood.

“The proposal is to utilize an existing building, which in addition to preventing waste from going to the landfill also results in preservation of the existing built form and character of the neighbourhood,” the report states.

Coun. Cindy Gilroy, who leads the Winnipeg Housing Steering Committee, also believes in the necessity of the facility.

“This is something I’ve been really championing. This is something that is deeply needed, as we know that we have a major addiction problem in the city,” said Gilroy.

Adult and Teen Challenge would decide whether the proposed space will serve men or women based on demand.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga