188 McCarter St. will be converted into an Island Health addiction treatment centre. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

project approved

Addiction treatment centre in Parksville unanimously approved

Feb 27, 2024 | 5:29 AM

PARKSVILLE — One final vote signaled the end of debate for a much-discussed addiction treatment centre on the edge of Parksville’s downtown.

Council gave its unanimous blessing for a 19 bed Island Health owned and operated residential facility to be staffed 24-hours a day at 188 McCarter St.

“I open my comments with this and I’ll close my comments with this, I’m flattered that Parksville was chose for this abstinence based recovery centre,” coun. Sean Wood told the most recent council meeting.

Formally introduced last June, a staffing contingent of nearly 30 employees, including nursing staff on site all times are pledged by the health authority.

Clinical counsellors, Indigenous support worker, psychologist and occupational therapist would be among the staff contingent for the facility where the maximum client stay would be three months.

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Citing a severe lack of substance misuse options on Vancouver Island, Island Health reported a six bed facility for women is the lone abstinence treatment facility it offers across the Island.

The Parksville property will be re-purposed in the coming months, with Island Health expecting the service will open early next year.

Successfully re-zoning 188 McCarter St. garnered plenty of opinions, with the majority of the 35 people who spoke at a well attended public hearing last fall in favour.

Those opposed included the Parksville Downtown Business Association (PDBA), which was concerned about the location.

Just prior to voting in favour at the final adoption stage, coun. Amit Gaur said he hopes Island Health keeps concerns of the business community and public at large in mind.

.”I do wish them all the best,’ he said.

While councillors expressed some concerns throughout the process, reception around the council table to the proposal was generally positive during previous discussions.

An open house was also held in advance of the public hearing.

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