Recovery facility needs to be out of city centre

By Lethbridge Herald on March 23, 2022.

Editor:

At a recent council meeting these two topics were discussed:

The representatives for the Blackfoot Confederacy portrayed that a “no”or “needs further investigation” decision about the use of the Bowman as a recovery centre would be discriminatory and not recognizing the financial benefits the Blood Reserve provides to Lethbridge.

The decisions to be made are:

1). The best location for a recovery centre and;

2) The best use of an historical building.

There have been several submissions on both of these and all require a close examination.

Personally, I agree with the Sage Clan and some others who have suggested and area further out from the city centre for the recovery centre. This centre is to be for anyone in Southern Alberta who needs assistance for various social needs.

A purpose-built centre with enough room to house detox, recovery and the helping agencies makes sense at a location close to present resources wether in Lethbridge or perhaps on the Blood reserve.

It would be fitting for the Bowman to become a place for the arts again – the small rooms and several levels are suitable for writers, crafters, dancers and musicians. Its location beside the library and transit would make it more usable for the wider community.

Either way, I am asking that everyone speaking to the decisions remember that:

“Our fears, our hopes, our armies are one,

Our comforts and our cares.

We share each other’s woes,

Each other’s burdens bear;

And often for each other flows

The sympathizing tear” (John Fawcett)

Karen J Collin

Lethbridge