Construction starts on Lethbridge Recovery Community facility

Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Mike Ellis, explains that once complete, the LRC will provide a wide range of services across the continuum of care for people struggling with addictions and mental health.

“We’re helping people with whatever challenges they have with their addiction or mental health issues,” says Ellis “The road to recovery helps them to get employed or in training or, you know, part of the continuum of care is, of course, housing. So it’s a wide range of treatments with the ultimate goal of helping people with the illness of addiction.”

Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen became emotional during his speech, saying that the community has been crying out for something like this for many years.

During his tenure as both mayor and city councillor, Hyggen said he has seen many times the devastating impact that addiction can have, not only on the person experiencing it, but for their families and the communities that surround them.

“I come to you a little bit emotional, because it’s been something that’s been a battle for quite some time to come to this point, and to see this, it’s nothing short of amazing,” says Hyggen.

“That recovery approach, it gives those the opportunity that are struggling with addiction to find a way back to the lives that they do deserve,” Hyggen adds. “It just wasn’t happening before, and so this recovery-based approach is extremely important, and we’re doing all we can to make sure we get those individuals that are struggling, the care that they need so, again, they can return to the lives that they do deserve.”

A media release from the Government of Alberta states that the LRC is part of a new type of intensive addiction treatment not previously provided by the province.

For those looking to access services at the LRC, they can either be referred by a social services provider or they can phone the facility at any time once it opens. Services will be provided at no cost.

Minister Panda says 100 jobs will be created through construction as well as another 100 ongoing positions.

Construction is expected to be completed quickly, as it will consist of a series of modular units. The LRC is set to open in Spring 2023.

A request for proposals has been put out for organizations that can operate the facility.

A separate 75-bed recovery community facility will also be built on the Blood Tribe First Nation. More details on that facility will be provided once it is announced.

Concept art for the Lethbridge Recovery Community. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

Municipal and provincial government officials at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Lethbridge Recovery Community on May 18, 2022. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

Sign for the Lethbridge Recovery Community. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

The plot of land east of Lethbridge that will soon become the Lethbridge Recovery Community. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

by David Opinko

Construction starts on Lethbridge Recovery Community facility

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