The Pines at Poteau has grand opening Tuesday

The Pines at Poteau, a substance abuse, disorder and recovery/rehabilitation center through the Health and Wellness Center, had its grand opening Tuesday.

Both Poteau Mayor Scotty White and Poteau Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Karen Wages mentioned in their speeches about how this was a mastermind plan by late Poteau Mayor Jeff Shockley.

In fact, a memorial bench dedicated in Shockley’s memory will be placed on the grounds of the center near the pond in which he and his son would frequently fish. Shockley’s widow and new Poteau City Council member Connie Shockley and family were present for the dedication.

The facility will have 20 cottages that can house 40 male patients/clients who are ages 18 and older.

District 15 State Sen. Randy Randleman, who was a big proponent for pushing for The Pines at Poteau, spoke about the importance of having such a center in LeFlore County and this part of southeastern Oklahoma.

“We need (these services) here,” Randleman said.

Also in attendance was Oklahoma Sen. Mark Allen as well as several other local persons such as Carl Albert State College President Jay Falkner, City of Poteau Attorney Marc Bovos, Poteau Public Schools Board of Education President Ron Hall and Kiamichi Tech-Poteau Campus Director Michael Culwell.

PDN photos by David Seeley Poteau Mayor Scotty White, top photograph, and Olahoma District 15 State Sen. Randy Randleman, middle photograph speak during Tuesday morning’s grand opening of The Pines at Poteau. A bench dedicated to the memory of former Poteau Mayor Jeff Shockley, bottom photograph, will be placed at the pond on the grounds where Shockley and his son would go fishing.