MAT PROGRAM ON GOOD TERMS WITH NEIGHBOURS

One block west and directly opposite the back-alley entrance to Safe
Harbour Society's homeless shelter stands the Sierras of Taylor Drive
condominiums favoured by seniors.

For two winters, the overnight, 20-mat shelter for people intoxicated or on
drugs has operated from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. at 4712 51st Ave. An average of 12
people per night have spent the night in warmth and safety this season.

Merle Brandvold, chairwoman of the Sierras of Taylor Drive condo board,
said the proximity of the shelter doesn't worry the 220 condo residents.

"We'd be the first to hear," said Brandvold, who has been on the board for
two years.

"I don't think it's a concern at all. We've had no criminal action whatsoever."

The biggest complaint from residents of the condos is the noise from the
downtown bars in the summer. And the most serious problem was in 2003, when
mail thieves hit about 30 apartment and condo buildings, and super
mailboxes, she said.

Brandvold has been living at the Sierras for three years.

Cameras tape the comings and goings at the front door and the garage. The
lobby buzzers are turned off at night so late-night visitors can't disturb
residents.

"I feel really safe here. It's quite a secure place," Brandvold said.

She walks her dog three times a day around the neighbourhood, early morning
and late evening included.

"I go by (the shelter) quite often and I never have a problem."

The new site for the 20-mat shelter - combined with a 20-bed detox - at
5409 50th Ave., faces opposition from nearby residents and business owners.
They fear an increase in crime, and a drop of property values and business
in their north-end downtown neighbourhood.

Last month, Red Deer's municipal planning commission gave Safe Harbour
Society conditional approval to set up the shelter and detox centre on 50th
Avenue.

The city's subdivision and development appeal board will hear two
applications March 10 opposing the location.

About 140 people have signed a petition opposing the proposed location,
which is six blocks north of the current location.

Tricia Haggarty, a Safe Harbour board member, said the society has not
received complaints from people who work or live near the current shelter.

Located on the main downtown thoroughfare of 51st Avenue, the shelter is
near a variety of businesses and offices, and not far from Taylor Drive
developments on former railway land.

Just north of the Sierras of Taylor Drive, another condo complex called the
Sierras of Heritage Village has 72 suites.

Red Deer Public School District operates its outreach school across the
street from the shelter. It's open weekdays and a few evenings, and staff
have not reported problems directly related to the shelter.

As a temporary location, the shelter didn't have to notify nearby
landowners when it opened its doors in 2003. People had the opportunity to
appeal when it reapplied in 2004. No one came forward.

Two doors down from shelter at Crystal Glass, manager Larry Gunderson said
he has no complaints about the shelter or its clients.

"Sometimes they're sitting there at 5:30 p.m. waiting for it to open,"
Gunderson said.

But it doesn't happen often. There is only one or two. And they're no
trouble, he said.

Managers at McDonald's Restaurant on 49th street, across from Real Canadian
Superstore, will tell customers who need help that there's a shelter nearby.

As a man on staff, assistant manager Tony D'Amico said he'll be called upon
to deal with unruly people, but there hasn't been anything out of the
ordinary for the restaurant industry.

"I've never had a problem," D'Amico said.

The Pita Pit at Round the Clock Gas is open late, 4 a.m. on the weekend.
Staff have regularly called police this winter, largely about people on
drugs creating disturbances. But in the last few weeks since workers
started letting people know where the shelter was located there hasn't been
a problem.

Amanda, a Pita Pit clerk who didn't want her last name used, said it's
mostly been an "attitude" problem with people on drugs.

"Most of the time it doesn't seem to be alcohol. You can smell that."

Haggarty said many of the people who come to the shelter are under the age
of 30. There's few regular, chronic clients.

"There are quite a few new faces," Haggarty said. "For the most part, the
turnover is fairly fast. It's not meant to be long-term housing."

The society is waiting to move the shelter to its new year-round location
on 50th Avenue. The 51st Avenue site will close for the season at the end
of April.

"Ideally, what we want to do is have a seamless transition."

Jennifer Young, vice-chairwoman of the Safe Harbour board, said the mat
shelter is a harm reduction strategy to reduce the negative consequences of
drug or alcohol use, such as health problems and even death.

People who grew up hearing the "just say no to drugs" philosophy may not
agree. But the ultimate goal is still to eliminate drug and alcohol use,
she said.

"It takes some time and patience to make that leap. Some people think we're
encouraging people to drink or use drugs," Young said.

Putting both the shelter and detox programs under one roof can make it
easier for shelter clients to take the first step towards recovery - which
is detox, she said.

Safe Harbour currently transports about one person a week to detox
facilities in Edmonton or Calgary.

A Red Deer facility would both increase the availability of detox services
in Alberta, and allow people to stay close to family and friends, she said.

"They might be more likely to stick to or seek treatment."

"I really think it's critical for Red Deer at this point. Our timing is good."