The Red Deer Recovery Community is just weeks away from completion.
On Saturday, Premier Jason Kenney, local MLAs and other dignitaries toured the facility, which is expected to be complete later this month.
Following the completion of construction, the building will undergo a commissioning before entering service. Once that process is complete, clinical operations at the recovery community will start ramping up. Clients are expected to start utilizing the facility as soon as mid-November.
“Addiction and mental health challenges have taken a significant toll on central Alberta over the past decade,” said Mike Ellis, associate minister of mental health and addictions.
“Increasing treatment capacity in Red Deer is long overdue, and we are proud to make this investment in the community. With more recovery communities being built across the province, Red Deer will be a shining example of what can be accomplished when we focus our efforts on helping people recover.”
This recovery community is the first of its kind in Alberta.
“Red Deer is proud to be home to the first recovery community built in Alberta,” said Mayor Ken Johnston.
“This project has been a sign of hope for the people of Red Deer at a time when addiction has had such a significant impact on our community. In the coming weeks Red Deer will discuss how we can put even more of a focus on recovery from addiction to build a healthier and safer community.”
The new 75-bed facility will provide people with the resources, tools and time to help them recover from addiction.
Residents can stay up to a year, accessing services that range from medical detox and opioid agonist medications to programs that help improve other aspects of their lives – from skills development and relationship building to employment, financial and housing supports. Treatment is free for all Albertans.
The operator of the Red Deer Recovery Community is being finalized after a national competitive process took place. The provincial government will announce the operator once that process is finalized and when the Red Deer Recovery Community begins welcoming clients in November.
Premier Jason Kenney said the provincial government is “making sure” every Albertan has the opportunity to pursue recovery from addiction.
“The Red Deer Recovery Community symbolizes just how far we have come in three short years toward building a system of care that is comprehensive, coordinated and effective – with recovery as the ultimate goal,” said Kenney.
Five more recovery communities are in various stages of planning and construction in Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, Gunn and on the Blood Tribe First Nation.
“This project, and new ones like it to be built in Edmonton and Calgary, will give more people a fighting chance to recover from addiction and build a new life,” said Kenney.
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