Premiere Danielle Smith recently stated she'll take the decision to cancel Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse's (PRSC) contract back to Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Dan Williams but the province has had to make some "tough decisions."
There has been an outpouring of local advocacy and support for PRSC since it was notified in mid-February that Recovery Alberta would be cancelling its funding contract as of April 30, 2025, including a petition being circulated by members and open letters from community members and officials.
On March 29, 'Deb' from Ponoka called into the radio show Your Province. Your Premier hosted by Wayne Nelson to speak with Smith.
"It’s just devastating for our community. It’s a really valuable clubhouse that helps people that are either currently dealing with mental health issues or have been dealing with mental health issues in our community," said Deb.
"I’m sure you realize that as a result of the Centennial Centre, what was formerly Alberta Hospital Ponoka, there are lots of mental health patients that stay in our community. They need help," she said.
"This clubhouse has been in existence for more than 30 years ... They really help people. They keep them safe ... they give them some purpose and they are helpful to the community. They participate all over. My husband calls them ‘the happy people’ because it is a really valuable institution.”
“We revealed that we project a $5.2 billion deficit and we’re trying to find ways to redirect spending and reduce duplication," Smith responded.
"I hope we get that right in most cases. I’ve heard there’s support for this one in the community, so I’ll take that back to Dan Williams, but we are unfortunately in a position where we do have to make some tough decisions if there are other ways that people can get support because there is so much demand out there across the board.
"We really have to make sure that those who have the highest need, the most acute need, are on the pathway to imminent problems ... those are the problems that Dan is working on.
"Not to say the clubhouse that was referenced doesn’t fall into that category. But those are some of the tough decisions that we are going through line by line," Smith said.
"I’ll take that away to Dan Williams and see if there’s any way to reconsider that decision. I do know that he has had to reduce that spending on some programs across the province."
In a letter to Minister Williams posted online, Ponoka Mayor Kevin Ferguson said the community is "dismayed" that the PRSC is among the contracts that Recovery Alberta is terminating.
His letter points out that Ponoka is also home to the Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury, which has a large catchment area.
"Following successful treatment and recover, at the time of discharge many without family connections or a 'home' community to return to remain in the Town of Ponoka," said Ferguson.
"Over a period of time, the recidivism rates have been greatly reduced due to the critical services and community supports offered through the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse that transitions these clients into the community."
He further stated that Centennial Centre wouldn't continue to function the way it does as a world class facility without a variety of supports, which includes the PRSC.
"In all probability when it comes to the transitioning of patients from Centennial Centre, that the Rising Sun Clubhouse is the best bargain when it comes to overall health care in this province."
PRSC board chair Alex Brill shared a testimonial online about how the clubhouse changed his life.
In 2016, Brill was suffering from agoraphobia and depression.
"I was struggling with leaving my house let alone talking to people I didn't know," he said.
"I couldn't even walk into most stores because fear gripped me so bad," said Brill.
"One day I got the courage to walk into Rising Sun Clubhouse. I didn't know it then, but it was slowly going to change the way I lived."
After several months, he began to attend the clubhouse regularly and take part in the activities.
"I remember sitting in Wellness Group scared to speak or look anyone in the eyes - a problem I no longer struggle with today."
While he still experiences anxiety when in larger groups or on outing to cities, he says he feels at ease and safe at the clubhouse.
Through the clubhouse, he's also been able to gain employment - something he says would have been impossible otherwise.
"Since being able to work for the first time in years, my self esteem has gone way up."
Brill has been employed with PRSC's work program since 2017 and has sat on the board of directors since 2019.
