BARRHEAD - The project lead of an addictions transition house proposed for downtown Barrhead understands that people are concerned.
What Costa Ndlovu wants people to know is that Best Option Health Services is willing to work with the community, including exploring alternative sites. In addition to being the project lead, Ndlovu is a mental health and addiction counsellor.
Since the project, a 20-unit addictions transition house slated for the Red Baron Inn has gained more recognition in the community, the municipality has received an increasing number of complaints and comments from residents concerned about various issues, including a potential rise in crime and its possible negative impact on Main Street businesses.
"The agency is not oblivious to the concerns expressed. People have the right to express their opinions," he told the Barrhead Leader via e-mail.
Ndlovu added that, despite the negativity the project has received from the community, Best Option Health Services is committed to working with the municipality to address any concerns, including looking at alternative sites.
Ndlovu said that although the initial plan was to transform the Red Baron Inn, the location was never "set in stone."
Although he said the Main Street motel, when understood within best practices, is seen" in a national context and not a local lens," one can better understand why Best Option Health Services had the site on its radar.
"It is not a new phenomenon to convert a hotel in a city centre or town to a transitional facility," Ndlovu said. "However, we have listened and we are willing to change the location."
He stated he hoped to find an appropriate location with the help of a yet-to-be-created local steering committee consisting of "progressive members of the public, the business community, and those in the mental health and addictions space.
In addition, Ndlovu stated that Best Option Health Service is committed to continuing to meet with community members and organizations, providing updates on the project and addressing any questions they may have.
He noted that in July, he made a presentation to Barrhead's intermunicipal agency, which comprises organizations that provide health and mental health services in the community, including Barrhead and District Family Community Support Services (FCSS), Alberta Health Services (AHS), and the Blue Heron Support Services Association (BHSSA).
He added that, later in the month, he also hosted a series of pre-arranged one-on-one 20-minute sessions.
"I want to emphasize that these are not the only public engagement meetings that will ever happen. It is just the beginning of many meetings, which will take different formats."
Ndlovu added that subsequent public engagement sessions will begin sometime in mid-to-late September.
He also noted that the public can also reach out to Best Option Health Services, reiterating he looks forward to working with the public to bring the project to fruition.
For contact information, visit the company's website, www.bestoptioncare.com.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
