Wes Giesbrecht, co-chair for the proposed Red Deer Dream Centre speaks before the City's Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) on Wednesday.

By Sheldon Spackman

Addictions Recovery

Planning commission hears concerns over proposed treatment centre

Oct 2, 2019 | 4:57 PM

A decision whether to approve a proposed drug and alcohol treatment facility in downtown Red Deer has been tabled for two weeks.

Following over three hours of public comments at a Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) meeting at City Hall on Wednesday, the commission opted to delay their decision to Oct. 16 to allow City administration to look at potential additional conditions for the Red Deer Dream Centre.

Those conditions would be aimed at upholding community standards in the area of the proposed facility, options for a possible ‘sunset clause,’ parking availability and clarification over external storage on the north side of the proposed location (the former Lotus Nightclub at 4614 50 Avenue).

The proposal for the Red Deer Dream Centre includes 16 treatment spaces with the capacity to treat 48 individuals at a time.

Plans for the main floor include a gathering space to accommodate up to 600 people, causing some to question whether there are plans to use the building as a church. The developer said hosting ‘faith-based gatherings’ is a possibility, but they are not opening a church.

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Wes Giesbrecht with the Red Deer Dream Centre says the $2 million project is all about helping people.

“We’ve seen enough of the aftermath and enough of the carnage if you will of the addictions dragon. It’s time to bring recovery to Red Deer, a viable option that’s proven, established, that gives people hope.”

The proposal is currently recommended for approval by the City’s Inspections and Licensing department, with officials noting the development is compliant with the Land Use Bylaw, supported by the Municipal Development Plan and site suitable, with excellent road access, access to transit and in a pedestrian oriented environment. City officials feel the proposed centre would help revitalize the area, and fits in well with the City’s Greater Downtown Action Plan (GDAP).

The City of Red Deer has received more than 200 letters both for and against the project.

“I don’t think it matters where you go in Red Deer, there’s never going to be a space that everyone can agree on,” Giesbrecht feels. “Recovery is the missing link that we’ve yet to experience in Red Deer and the time is now. The government has released unprecedented capital to fund these beds in Alberta and we are ready to receive.”

Dr. Michael Mulholland, physician lead for the Safe Harbour Society’s medically-supported detox, says the community needs to capitalize on the government’s recent announcement of 4,000 treatment beds for Alberta.

“Those announcements, they’re time limited, we don’t have a treatment centre here,” he explained. “You have to take a risk sometimes. This is an opportunity for a community response to a community problem and it doesn’t involve any tax dollars.”

Kildy Li, former owner of the Lotus nightclub building where the centre is proposed, says he supports the need for a centre in Red Deer but feels there are too many nearby temptations for those looking to recover from their addictions.

“I truly believe the location was chosen wrong,” says Li. “When you have all these recovering addicts and you’re right next door to a strip club and a whole bunch of licensed premises, I think it’s really counterproductive. To me, a more ideal location would be the Michener Centre or old A&B Sound building.”

Downtown business owner Lorna Watkinson-Zimmer says she also opposed the proposed location.

“We are inundated with social agencies, we’ve got too many downtown,” says Watkinson-Zimmer. “I truly don’t believe that what they said today is what they’re going to do, I think they’re going to have a church. The nerve of them to buy the building before this was done, I can see where this is going and I’m not happy.”

“If we don’t have the heart for people to get them into recovery, then we don’t have a heart for the city,” says Robin McDonald from Potter’s Hands Ministries. “If the city is falling apart due to the drug and crime-related issues, and if we’re not providing a way out for people, then what are we offering them? Downtown might not be the best location, but right now, it’s ‘the’ location, there is no other option right now.”