The opening of a provincial addictions rehabilitation centre geared to late teens and young adults will be delayed by about a month, operators of the facility said Monday.
The facility formerly known as The Crossing was slated to open in January. Operators say the facility will now open sometime in February.
Read more: Local man credits now-closed Crossing for saving his life
Steven Esau, director of addiction services at the non-for-profit Pacific Community Resources Society said the delay is mainly due to renovations needed to keep residents safe.
“We’re doing a lot of risk review, looking at how we can keep people safe,” he said following a delegation to Keremeos council Monday night.
Those risks could include metal lockers that were on-site which residents could use to hurt themselves or others.
Esau said he along with operations manager Val Clement have been busy interviewing and hiring for about 25 to 30 positions that vary between casual, part-time and full-time.
“We’re definitely looking to hire local as much as possible,” Esau said.
Positions range from clinical physicians, nurses, cooks, homemakers, groundskeepers and more.
When it opens, the residential treatment facility will service 17 to 24 year olds using individual treatment plans and extensive support systems in the community and in the resident’s home communities.
“We tailor programming to the person,” Esau said.
Read more: Province announces re-opening of Keremeos addiction treatment centre
Residents will be referred from around the province with each of the five health authorities having four beds each for their referrals and two beds reserved for priority cases that may include pregnant women, indigenous people, or those in dangerous situations.
Pacific Community Resources Society (PCRS) was chosen as the operator earlier this fall after a lengthy request for proposal process.
PCRS is based in the Lower Mainland and offers several housing and addictions programs including school-based prevention programs, learning to lead prevention program, addictions youth and adult outreach in Chilliwack, Astra Program, HIV/HCV Prevention and Education Program, Chilliwack Health and Housing Centre and many more.
Esau said he’s never come to a community as open and willing to help as the Keremeos area.
“This has been one of the most welcoming communities we’ve ever worked in,” he said “I just want to thank you and everyone here for the support.”