Renovations for the Red Deer Dream Centre are nearing completion.
But the addictions recovery facility located in the city’s downtown does not yet have enough operational funding to hire staff and open its doors.
“Now that the construction phase is quite close to being done, funds are required in order to operate the facility,” said Vince Aliberti, executive director of the centre.
The former Lotus nightclub building, at 4614 50 Ave., is being renovated to become a 40-bed, Christian-based treatment centre for men.
Of the $1.6 million goal for operational funding, just over $450,000 has been raised. The centre is currently applying for grants and seeking donors, said Aliberti.
”From a non-profit standpoint, there’s never a time to stop the fundraising side of things,” he said.
“Unless you have the funds from an operational standpoint, you can’t really implement your strategy. We’ve developed … a plan to look at exactly what’s required operationally year-over-year.”
Previously, about $1.4 million was raised in capital funding.
“As the executive director, I’m very grateful for the support and donations that have been given to date to the Red Deer Dream Centre,” said Aliberti.
“We are going to take a community-oriented approach to provide the individualized services for our clients so they can not only heal, but become contributing members to society.”
From a logistical standpoint, the building could be physically ready within the next couple of weeks, Aliberti said, adding he will know for sure after Wednesday’s board meeting.
“With construction I’m very careful because a simple thing like toilet paper dispenser, or something like that, can throw things off by a week due to supply chain issues, believe it or not,” he said.
“There are tons of these little things that can impact us completing the building.”
But it’s too soon to say when exactly the facility will be open due to the operational funding needed, Aliberti said
“All it takes is one donor to pump in, say half a million bucks. Then what happens is so much is covered and because of the agile model we’re using to operate the facility, then everything else will just fall into place,” he said.
For more information on the Red Deer Dream Centre, visit www.rddc.ca.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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