LETHBRIDGE, AB – It appears construction might get underway soon on the 50 bed recovery community promised for the Lethbridge area.
Last summer, Premier Jason Kenney traveled to southern Alberta to announce $10-million for two facilities – $5 million for a 75-bed recovery community on the Blood Reserve and $5 million for a 50-bed centre in Lethbridge County.
On Sunday, July 18 a Government of Alberta press release announced the facility will be built on provincial land adjacent to the Fresh Start Recovery Centre, located on Jail Road just east of the city.
Construction is slated for fall.
Officials say building the new facility adjacent to an existing addiction treatment centre will help promote a sense of community, mutual support and collaboration.
The project will create approximately 100 jobs during construction and once operational, it’s expected to employ roughly 80 people.
Recovery communities, also known as therapeutic communities, provide holistic residential treatment for addiction and mental health challenges.
The UCP government announced in Summer 2020 it would be building five new recovery communities in Alberta as part of the province’s economic recovery plan.
Part of Sunday’s announcement also included news that Lethbridge’s Southern Alcare Manor is set to receive more than $300,000 to add 11 publicly funded residential recovery treatment beds.