THUNDER BAY -- A drug and alcohol recovery home is looking to set up a permanent base of operations at the former Oliver Road Public School.
Crossroads Centre Inc. first moved into the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital three years ago after spending a couple decades on Lilly Street. With the announcement of the LPH’s closure, the recovery home was tasked with finding a new location.
Executive Director Kathy Sanderson said the former school met all their criteria.
The home offers beds for 28 people who are sober and have already completed a short-term residential treatment program.
Sanderson said if they move to Oliver Road they would be able to offer 40 beds and significantly cut down on their waiting list.
“When we talk to our community partners, we know there’s a great need for our service,” Sanderson said.
“They are really feeling some difficulties with our bed capacity. When we were on Lilly Street when we had 40 beds, we rarely had a wait list. Since we moved to the LPH, we’ve consistently had a wait list. We are hopeful that it will eliminate having a wait list.”
Crossroads held a public meeting about their intentions to lease the former school.
Sanderson said the majority of the concerns were about public safety, and she reassures everyone that clients staying at the home are at the end of their journey to recovery and are trying to become independent.
“Our clients are not wandering around in the community getting into trouble,” she said.
“These are adults who are serious about recovery. Thunder Bay’s drug and alcohol use is higher than other areas in the province. This program is vital.”
She said they had no problems with the neighbourhood when they were located on Lilly Street and expected the same kind of results if they move to Oliver Road.
Sanderson said they have already had funding of $1 million in place and hopes to move in by the summer. She will be presenting the idea to city council on Monday.
At-Large Coun. Aldo Ruberto, who attended the meeting, supported the move calling it a great idea.
“Some of the concerns the residents had I thought were addressed very well,” Ruberto said.
“These are people who have gone through programs that are looking to better themselves. I look at the organizations history and the other people they have been involved with and they are absolutely wonderful. I was surprised how good they were.”
He praised Crossroads for running a tight ship and looking after their clients.
He said the only issue that he could see coming up was decreased property values, which is an issue council will look into.
