Recovery centre for women addicts proposed in area of Lake Country

A new recovery centre for women battling addictions is proposed for Lake Country.

The complex, to be considered by town council Tuesday, would accommodate 20 women and 15 children.

“There is an overdose epidemic currently ravaging our community, province, country and continent,” Mark De Koning of Adult and Teen Challenge writes in a letter to Lake Country officials.

“Our mission is to provide teens and adults freedom from addiction and other life-controlling issues through Christ-centred solutions,” De Koning writes. “We are convinced that the region would be proud to have this centre as part of our community.”

Adult and Teen Challenge already runs a recovery centre for men in Lake Country. The new venture is proposed for a nearby property, at 4355 McCoubrey Rd. in the Okanagan Centre neighbourhood.

The new recovery centre would have housing for women and children, counselling rooms, a skills training centre, chapel and daycare.

The proposal needs council’s approval because a change in zoning is necessary for the project to go ahead. The site is currently classed as urban residential and parkland; a re-designation that includes “administration and public service” is being sought.

Town planners support the rezoning request. The recommendation before council is to grant first reading and then forward the proposal to a public hearing for interested members of the community to comment.