Boyle McCauley News

Since 1979 • April-May 2024 • Circulation 5000

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Remand Centre Proposed as Social Services Hub

The idea of transforming the closed Remand Centre into a hub for social services is being seriously considered by Boyle Street Community Services and several government and agency partners, according to Julian Daly, the agency’s Executive Director.

In July, Boyle Street is submitting a business case to the province for redeveloping its operations. An option being considered is for the agency to relocate to the Remand Centre along with several other agencies in order to consolidate and integrate services to community members in the inner city.

The proposal may or may not be supported by the Province and if it is, funding would need to be found to support the idea.

Services offered in the approximately 200,000 sq. foot facility could include health services, a 24-hour day care, supportive/transitional housing, addiction and mental health services, etc.

Daly envisions 100-120 new units of housing in the former centre. Potentially, agencies currently operating in the inner city could relocate to the proposed facility.

Previously, the police raised a similar idea, but it was criticized as there wasn’t a comprehensive plan for how services would be integrated.

During the recent Council discussion of supervised injection sites, Mayor Iveson championed the idea of creating a community “wellness centre.” He explained that the centre would be part of a co-ordinated inner-city strategy to help stream people into supportive housing more quickly and efficiently.

For the idea to work, it can’t just manage “the same people, the same way,” he said, but should help people transition into supportive housing and treatment.

A Council motion directs the Administration to report back in June with terms of reference for developing an inner city wellness plan, including a timeline and community consultation plan.

In April, the MCL sent the mayor a letter requesting that the City should better coordinate the delivery of social services and supportive housing in the inner city and throughout the city.

The MCL will soon be organizing a meeting for residents to better understand what’s being proposed and to talk with their neighbours about the idea.

Phil is the MCL President.

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