Addictions centre receives approval to relocate to Regina
The Pine Lodge Addictions Treatment Centre has been approved to relocate to a new home in North Central Regina.
The organization said it purchased the former Soul’s Harbour Rescue Mission building located at 3535 8th Avenue, in a statement to CTV News.
“The Soul’s Harbour building was for sale and the area is zoned for our type of facility. The building provides a natural fit,” Brenda Behrns, an administrator at Pine Lodge, said in a statement. “In fact, some years ago it was home to a women’s addiction program.”
The facility is expected to open in June. The organization’s previous location in Indian Head suffered smoke damage in a December 2020 fire.
An attempt to move to a larger location on Echo Lake was met with local opposition.
The City of Regina said development and building permits were issued to Pine Lodge on Nov. 18, 2021. Since the project was already permitted within the zoning bylaws, consultation with local residents and stakeholders is not part of the approval process, the city said in a statement.
However, the Regina Catholic School Division (RCSD) has appealed the development permit on the grounds of a misapplication of the zoning bylaw.
The proposed Pine Lodge facility would be located across the street from Sacred Heart Community School.
“We are discussing these perceived issues about our program and clients with RCSD representatives and we are confident that we can address their concerns to their satisfaction,” Behrns said.
Sean Chase, the director of education or Regina Catholic Schools, said the appeal was filed to give the school division more time to gather information about the project.
“It was really done in the spirit of simply a placeholder, to allow us to navigate some of the dates that are in place on behalf of the city, so we could engage into some productive dialogue with Pine Lodge, who have been doing their very best to get back to use with some of the nuance to the quite detailed operational questions that we’re asking,” Chase said, in an interview Friday.
Chase said the appeal process is also a chance for the school division to do its due diligence on behalf of students and families at Sacred Heart.
He added the division has been asking Pine Lodge “challenging questions,” but it has not yet determined what its preferred outcome for the situation is.
“Their staff who are available and their board members have been great in terms of getting back to us and helping us understand their process and collectively to understand, look and see what would work best for that location right across from an elementary school, in a different setting than perhaps what they occupied in the past,” Chase said.
Pine Lodge said its first concern is the safety of its clients, neighbours and staff.
“We believe this type of facility is an important one for Regina and one that will garner support, as we engage the surrounding community over coming weeks to explain our programs and our approach,” Behrns said.
Discussion about the project between the two parties is ongoing, but Chase said each conversation leads to a “greater degree of understanding.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies.
OPP seize $7.5 million worth of drugs in eastern Ontario
The Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police says one person is facing multiple charges after a traffic complaint on Highway 17 in Head Clara Maria Township.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.