DETOX CENTRE: 'A GOOD DOWNTOWN NEIGHBOR'

The Safe Harbour Society is out to prove it's detox centre and overnight
shelter can be a good downtown neighbour despite on-going fears from area
residents.

Work has begun on establishing a community committee now that conditional
city approval was given Monday to site the centre at the former EXH
building at 5409-50 Ave.

"We want to prove to people in the area they don't need to be afraid," said
Neil Congo, a Safe Harbour Society board member.

The 20-bed, 24 hour detox centre and 20 mat shelter program is now expected
to open May 1.

The opening was pushed back a month from earlier projections now that the
society has to suffice several conditions as part of its approval before it
can open.

Along with establishing a community committee, the society must have a
Community Policing Through Environmental Design report and safety analysis
plan completed and approved by the development officer and MPC as well as
change access to the mat program to the side of the building from the back.

The approval will last for one year at which time if the society wants to
continue the operation in that location it must re-apply to MPC.

"We're being asked to be guinea pigs for a year long experiment," said
project opponent Michael Dawe who jointly owns a house 40 feet from the centre.

"Our position remains. We do not feel a mat service, overnight shelter
program for the intoxicated and those high on drugs, should be located next
to a residential area where small children live. They picked a very
inappropriate location."

Residents and business owners packed city council chambers Monday to debate
the selected location.

They spoke of the possibility of dwindling property values, investment
losses, increased crime and loitering and concern for the safety of
children living in the area as well as the lack of consultation in the process.

Days later, many still expressed dismay over the MPC decision in which only
one member voted against the resolution.

"The dissolution and the hurt is phenomenal. A lot of them are still in a
state of shock. They felt like they weren't listened to and there weren't
any options," said Dawson.

Brad Drechsler, chair of the Festival Plaza condo association, said the
community committee would be a worthwhile endeavour.

"We would ask to be a part of that," Drechsler said.