Yorkton residents want answers on proposed post-treatment centre

Concerns are growing in Yorkton after residents learned of a proposed post-treatment centre for their neighbourhood. Fruzsina De Cloedt reports

Alberta-based Poundmaker’s Lodge might be opening a new post-treatment facility in Yorkton, but some residents say they are looking for answers.

“We put out a request for proposals and [Poundmaker’s Lodge Treatment Centres] applied for one of those, and they have been granted 11 post-treatment spaces for the Yorkton community,” Lori Carr, minister of mental health and addictions, told CTV News on Tuesday during a press event.

Battlefords Treatment Centre, which is an extension of Poundmaker’s Lodge Treatment Centres (PLTC), is looking to establish recovery-focused supportive housing in Yorkton for individuals who have completed treatment and are seeking to continue their recovery journey in a safe and supportive environment.

Carr said these kinds of spaces involve community consultation.

“We do have these [facilities] in residential areas. Now Poundmaker’s Lodge will have to work with the community,” Carr said. “I think as those conversations take place, understanding better what those spots truly are might ease some of those concerns.”

However, some Yorkton residents, like Jorgia Andres, said that outreach has not happened so far, despite the purchase of two properties by Poundmaker’s Lodge.

“No one has been notified. It’d be nice to have some notice, some awareness. The city also, when I called, they had no idea about it. So, our crescent brought awareness to the city about [the facility],” Andres said in her living room on Tuesday.

Andres and her neighbours noticed a black pickup truck with a “Poundmaker’s Lodge Treatment Centres” logo parked in the driveway of a recently sold residential property in their neighbourhood.

CTV News has verified that the ownership of the property, along with a secondary location, belong to PLTC.

“I love the character of the neighborhood. We have a beautiful grass base. There’s two schools, daycares. It’s just a really beautiful place to live, and I feel safe with my family here,” Andres said. “It’s a little bit uncomfortable when a big change like that is happening in your residential area, [because] it could really change things.”

Andres is not alone with her concerns. Clarke Meadows also lives near one of the new Poundmaker’s properties.

“I don’t believe a big business like Poundmaker’s Lodge would even purchase a facility like this without any idea, any applications, any notice to the city that this is what they are doing,” Meadows said.

The City of Yorkton says it has had some informal conversations with PLTC, but officials say they do not know much more than residents.

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

“The group that we’re involved with operates in the treatment and care world, so an element of that is basically what’s being proposed. But, again, they offer varied levels of care in their other facilities and they’ve [said] that in Yorkton they would also do that,” said Michael Eger, Yorkton’s director of planning, building and development.

The specifics of the new post-treatment facility are still unclear.

“We are unaware of exactly what it is that they’re proposing to take place in those buildings. And that has to happen first,” Yorkton Mayor Aaron Kienle told CTV News.

Eger said the City of Yorkton has not received an official application yet, and the proposed use would not comply with current zoning.

“That would mean that zoning changes would be required to accommodate that use. And that process goes through a public process through council for decision-making,” Eger explained.

In a statement to CTV News, Battlefords Treatment Centre clarified that it is not providing a mobile withdrawal program, referring to an unrelated announcement by Minister Carr on Tuesday. The statement said it is offering a recovery home and supportive housing to help people transition from treatment to independent living.

The centre explained that admission to these recovery homes requires prospective residents to complete an application and pass an interview process, who are also required to address any outstanding legal matters or acute health concerns prior to placement.

Through the “Good Neighbourhood Approach,” residents are encouraged to contribute positively to their neighbourhoods.

The centre added that PLTC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and “have demonstrated significant success in the communities it serves, particularly through its Cardinal Recovery Homes.”

Brad Cardinal, executive director of the Battlefords Treatment Centre, said the safety of all parties, including PLTC residents and members of the neighbourhood, remains a top priority.

“The homes operate with a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week on-call monitoring system, complemented by exterior security cameras to help maintain a safe and secure environment,” Cardinal said.

Andres said she is hoping for communication and a solution that is beneficial for families in the neighbourhood as well as those in recovery.

“The treatment centre and whoever is doing it ... I think it’s beautiful that people can heal and recover,” she said. “I just find there can be certain locations that would be best for the people going to recover and also for people that are in the area.”

PLTC said it is committed to following all official processes in partnership with the province and the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

Residents hope that will include public consultation.