REHAB PROPOSAL FOR FORMER YOUTH CENTRE

Gander MHA Kevin O'Brien is proposing an addiction rehabilitation
program occupy the town's former youth assessment centre; the same
program that was told last week it was unwelcome in Manuels.

Mr. O'Brien faced a lot of criticism from Gander councillors after his
government ceased operations of the youth centre because of declining
occupancy rates. The Tories decided to keep open a much older building
in Grand Falls-Windsor because the majority of clients have been from
that vicinity.

But he's since been looking at and asking for ideas of other programs
to utilize the large house, which cost around $350,000 when it was
built in the late eighties. About a week-and-a-half ago, Gander Town
Council publicly slammed the new MHA for siding with his government on
the youth centre decision, and asked that he find another use for the
building, saying the move hurt the town's economy.

Mr. O'Brien said he has forwarded two proposals to Health and
Community Services Minister Elizabeth Marshall, and is trying to
finalize another. He is also asking the community for
suggestions.

Meanwhile, it just happens to be that the Christian organization Teen
Challenge is looking to set up an operation in Newfoundland. It
provides long-term residential programs for drug rehabilitation,
through education and spiritual guidance.

It identified a home in the Conception Bay South community, on a
residential street. But on Wednesday, a public meeting dealing with
rezoning erupted into a heated exchange, with there being mostly
opposition to the proposal.

Many cited their concern for security, child safety and property
values, and the meeting developed into community members insulting
each other.

The next day, Teen Challenge withdrew its application, saying it would
look for another location in the province.

"I'm after the drug addiction program because it is out there,"
commented Mr. O'Brien. "The (former) youth centre is outside (of
residential areas)."

The building is located at James Boulevard and Garrett Drive, close to
the airport.

"It makes sense to me, but maybe not to two-thirds of the community."
Ideal location? While the property seems to be ideal for Teen
Challenge, and the town believes it would be a difficult asset to flip
because of its restricted zoning, Mr. O'Brien expects there still
could be some opposition. The original youth assessment centre concept
was a community hot potato when it was first developed in the mid-1980s.

Officials in the end had to change the centre's mandate from a group
home where young offenders would serve out sentences, to the
assessment concept. The location caused even more controversy. It was
originally planned for Glenwood, but residents were strongly against
it being in their community.

It was then planned for a lot on Gander Bay Road, generating more
protests, forcing officials to look at town-owned land near Lakeside
Homes, but that too was greeted with stern opposition.

It finally opened July 1989.

Ten were originally slated to work out of the home. When it was closed
last month, 15 jobs were eliminated from Gander.

George Glover, Teen Challenge's executive director for Eastern Canada,
said it is committed to a facility on the island portion of the
province, but would not comment on the Gander option.

"The only thing I'm confident about is that we'll definitely open a
facility in Newfoundland within the next year." The organization is to
discuss its options in about two weeks.

He commented that opposition to its facilities usually depends on the
jurisdiction. "That usually comes with zoning and neighbourhoods. We
try to find properties that are pre-zoned, or where it's not a
difficult variance to get." Mr. Glover commented that since last
week's decision, Teen Challenge has received an overwhelming amount of
inquiries from other community officials around the province.

Teen Challenge was started in New York City in 1957. It is now in 80
countries, with 560 locations. In Canada, there are seven facilities,
plus administration offices.

It is a registered non-profit charity, and receives no government
funding. Most of its revenue comes from fundraising and sponsorships.
There is a one-time entrance fee of $500 for clients, but it can be
waived based on individual circumstances.

Mr. O'Brien is also looking at the idea of a child services home for
the former assessment centre. Another concept is a pilot trainee
centre for aviation industry concepts being discussed.

"But the thing is whether we have money in the budget for anything,"
he remarked. "I'm not going to hang my hat on something that is not
viable."