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'Flexibility' needed in transition to new sobering centre: GNWT

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The Salvation Army has provided a temporary home for the sobering centre since November, 2017. NNSL file photo

The opening of a permanent sobering centre in Yellowknife has been delayed several months.

The Salvation Army has provided a temporary home for the sobering centre since November, 2017.
NNSL file photo

A long-term sobering centre was set to open at 51st block of 50th Street this summer, but last week the government of the Northwest Territories announced it had extended its lease with the Salvation Army, the center's temporary home, for another six months.

The Salvation Army on Franklin Avenue initially offered to house the sobering centre from Nov. 1, 2017 until April 2018 while the new building was being renovated.

SDR Contracting Ltd. was awarded the sobering centre's $735,600 construction contract in February.

David Maguire, a spokesperson for the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority, stated in an email Tuesday the GNWT is not expecting “any delays that would amount to more than a few weeks for the building renovation.”

He wrote that “an appropriate amount of flexibility” is needed after construction to organize operations and address any deficiencies that may be found at the new site.

“Experience has shown that flexibility with program transition into a new space is desirable where possible and we thank the Salvation Army for being very cooperative in providing the program with the flexibility it needs,” he wrote.

A press release issued last week states the Salvation Army will continue to provide a sobering centre through the transition to the new location “later this year.”

“We're very happy to partner with the GNWT at the moment to be the host for the sobering centre until their permanent centre is finished,” James Moulton, interim executive director of the Salvation Army, said last Thursday.
Moulton said so far the arrangement has worked out well.

The permanent sobering centre, once open, will have fewer beds than the temporary space at the Salvation Army.

Yellowknifer reported in October that the Salvation Army sobering centre had 30 cots: 20 for men in one space, and 10 for women dispersed between two smaller rooms.

The new building will have 27 beds: 11 for men, nine for women and seven that can be used for either men or women, depending on need.

The exact hours of operation for the permanent sobering centre have yet to be determined.

However, wrote Maguire, since the day shelter will be moving into the same building as the sobering centre, between the two facilities support will be available at the new site. 24 hours a day.

The permanent sobering centre will offer snacks, as well as information about other services and medical support.

The day shelter will have food, laundry services, washrooms and referral services.

The current sobering centre is open from 2 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The NWT Disabilities Council is operating the sobering centre, and Advanced Medical Solutions is providing necessary medical services. The two organizations will also staff the permanent sobering centre/day shelter.

The new combined facility will not have dedicated security staff.

“Staff on site work with clients to maintain a safe and welcoming atmosphere, if anyone is uncooperative staff have clear processes to deal with these situations and are trained accordingly,” stated Maguire.