(rdnewsNOW / Alessia Proietti)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

75-Bed Facility

Red Deer recovery community slated for fall completion

Jul 20, 2022 | 4:09 PM

Construction on a 75-bed recovery community project in Red Deer is on time, on budget, and expected to be completed this fall.

Officials with the Alberta government say the Red Deer recovery community is a first-of-its-kind project in the province that will house a long-term addiction treatment program focused on helping people pursue recovery.

Currently, 52 of 72 modular buildings are on site, with the installation of mechanical and electrical systems, as well as work on the building interiors scheduled to get underway later this month. The final modular buildings are expected to be arriving soon.

(rdnewsNOW/ Alessia Proietti)

“Alberta’s government is making sure that every Albertan has the opportunity to pursue recovery from the devastating and destructive illness of addiction. I am pleased that this project is on time to start operations in the fall so that Albertans can begin their recovery as soon as possible,” said Premier Jason Kenney in Red Deer on Wednesday.

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“Alberta Infrastructure plays a key role in delivering this essential project. Our goal is to have this facility up and running as soon as possible to bring more jobs and specialized care to the people of Red Deer,” added Nicholas Milliken, Minister of Infrastructure.

“Addiction and mental health challenges have taken a significant toll on central Alberta over the past decade. Increasing treatment capacity in Red Deer is long overdue. Alberta’s government is proud to make this investment to save lives, support recovery and bring hope to the community of Red Deer,” stated Mike Ellis, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

“The Red Deer recovery community will be an important part of the recovery-oriented system of care that we are building in Red Deer to help people improve their lives. Our government is proud to invest in projects like this to build up our communities and bring more jobs to Albertans,” said Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Education and MLA for Red Deer-North.

“It is essential that our community have access to quality mental health care. This project will not only expand access to addictions treatment for those in need, but it will also bring jobs to our city and help boost our economic recovery,” noted Ken Johnston, mayor, City of Red Deer.

Recovery communities are described as a form of long-term residential treatment that focus on supporting people who are pursuing recovery. Recovery is seen as a gradual, ongoing process of behavioural change through clinical and peer interventions aimed at improving a person’s overall well-being.

Alberta’s government says it is helping Albertans access life-saving addiction and mental health-related prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery resources.

(rdnewsNOW / Alessia Proietti)

Alberta government quick facts:

• This project is keeping Albertans working, supporting about 135 well-paid construction and construction-related jobs.
• Alberta Health is in the process of opening four recovery community projects.
  • Red Deer (75-bed facility)
    • Construction slated for fall completion.
  • Lethbridge (50-bed facility)
    • Groundbreaking took place in May 2022 and the project is on schedule to be completed in late 2022.
  • Gunn (100-bed facility)
    • The project is in the design stage. Construction and completion dates will be determined as the project progresses.
  • Blood Tribe (75-bed facility)
    • The project is in the planning phase.
• Contact Alberta 211 for information about addiction treatments and supports available throughout the province.
• Albertans struggling with opioid use anywhere in the province can call the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program seven days a week at 1-844-383-7688 to access same-day treatment.
• Albertans using substances at home alone can download the DORS app to a smartphone free of charge from any app store or via DORSApp.ca. When using the app, Albertans will receive a call from the STARS emergency centre if they become unresponsive to a timer. If an overdose is suspected, STARS will immediately dispatch emergency medical services to the person’s location.

Related: Red Deer recovery community begins construction today