Board Requesting New Site for Wellness and Recovery Centre

COWICHAN VALLEY, BC – At last night’s Open Board Meeting, the Board of Education for the Cowichan Valley School District re-addressed concerns about the location of the new Wellness and Recovery Centre that is slated to open at 5878 York Road.

The Board recognizes that the community needs the Wellness Recovery Centre and is thankful for the work that has made it a reality for our region. However, community health must properly balance the needs of all members of our community, including our children, and the Board believes the chosen site does not find that balance.

The proposed site on York Street is on a heavily used student route and within a two-block radius of Alexander Elementary, Quamichan School, Cowichan Secondary School, and the soon to be relocated Wendy’s House Strong Start program.

“We know that there are many in our community who need this Wellness and Recovery Centre, and we’re happy that our community has been chosen for this and that they will get the support they need. However, the Board’s first responsibility is to our students, and ensuring their safety, education, and growth. Having this centre located in the midst of three schools and one Strong Start program does not fit with the mandate we have been given by the public,” said Candace Spilsbury, Chair of the Board of Education for the Cowichan Valley School District.

The Cowichan Leadership Group, which includes the Board Chair, strongly endorses, and advocated for, a Wellness and Recovery Centre for the Cowichan Valley, but was not involved in, or consulted on, this current location.

In response to their concerns, the Board passed the following motion:

That the Board of Education of School District No. 79 (Cowichan Valley) write to Island Health stating that while it supports the Wellness and Recovery Centre initiative it does not support its location at 5878 York Road, and that the Board inform local governments and MLA’s of this motion and ask them to support the Board’s request for an alternate location.

The Board will forward their concerns to Island Health in the coming days and hope that an appropriate solution can be found

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Media Contact:
Mike Russell

Director of Communications
Cowichan Valley School District (SD79)
2557 Beverly Street,
Duncan, B.C., V9L 2X3
E: mrussell@sd79.bc.ca
W: www.sd79.bc.ca