PHOENIX AT PUBLIC HEARING

The Phoenix Society's proposed expansion of its existing Whalley drug
and alcohol recovery facility will go to a public hearing later this
month.

The society wants to replace its 10-bed facility at 13686-94A Ave.
with a four-storey building with 28 recovery beds, 36 transitional
housing units and a comprehensive support system for those fighting
addictions.

In addition to the recovery aspect, the society will provide its
clients with employment counselling and assistance in upgrading their
education.

Ten year-round homeless shelter beds and a plan to provide cold
weather shelter have been dropped from the proposal. Council withheld
preliminary approval last month because it objected to the shelter
plan.

Council also wanted assurances the society has the funding it needs to
go ahead with construction if the project is approved by the city.

Society director Michael Wilson told council Monday he has commitments
for 80 per cent of the $5.3 million capital funding needed and doesn't
foresee any difficulty getting the rest.

"We have approximately $4.3 million committed from the federal and
provincial governments and a number of private foundations," he said
Tuesday.

Wilson also said the facility operating funds are in
place.

Mayor Doug McCallum expressed disappointment the Phoenix proposal
doesn't include a medical detox component.

"We really need those beds. This council has a number of reports where
you're saying there will be detox beds. Now you're saying there will
be no medical detox. We really need those beds," McCallum said.

Wilson explained medical detox services come under the control of the
regional health authority which hasn't allocated such beds to Phoenix.
He said there have been discussions with the authority about detox,
but waiting for a decision could have jeopardized the rest of the project.

"Certainly, detox was identified as a high priority in the early
stages of developing this plan. That's not something I get to decide.
We would be happy to partner with them _ but we're not driving that
bus," Wilson explained Tuesday.

Coun. Judy Higginbotham said Wilson was questioned vigorously by
council and she expects even more information to come out of the
public hearing.

"I'm looking forward to the hearing, it should be interesting. This
looks like a good proposal," she said.

The public hearing will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 26 at Surrey
City Hall, 14245-56th Ave.