Regarding the proposed supportive living project located at 222 Corfield St., Parksville.
Location — Parksville, a small seaside town, population less than 13,000, situated in a “soon to be revitalised” downtown, two blocks from our famous “Community Park Beach,” nestled among young families in starter homes and long-term residents, and adjacent to the proposed Berwick seniors retirement community which could include a daycare center.
No, thank you.
The proposed supportive housing project cannot succeed in a community as small as Parksville since it is not sustainable.
- No rehab facilities to cope with those individuals with drug/alcohol addictions.
- No 24-hour emergency care hospital facility.
- Individuals with drug addictions will be encouraged to use their drugs in their rooms, and yet the proposal does not include any medical personnel on staff.
How will these addicted individuals access their illegal drugs?
The project includes 50-plus housing units as well as the seasonal extreme weather shelter. Is providing a shelter in the same building that provides needles and allows drug use a wise decision?
Will this naive solution to end homelessness in this region actually increase the numbers relocating to Parksville?
The petitions of opposition to this project now number over 700 signatures and grow daily.
For more information visit the website parksvilleshelter.com and/or attend the open house at the Royal Canadian Legion branch 49, 146 Hirst Ave. W. in Parksville, on Friday, April 13, from 4-7 p.m.
Doug O’Brien
Parksville