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Last Updated: Sep 2nd, 2008 - 04:29:39
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A plan to convert a northside church into a native women’s transition home got a cool reception at a neighbourhood information meeting Wednesday evening.
About 35 Staffordville residents attended the meeting with city officials, and many voiced concerns about the proposed project including fears of plummeting property values, increased crime and social problems as well as safety issues relating to already high traffic volumes along 9 Avenue North between Stafford Drive and Scenic Drive North.
The City of Lethbridge is proposing to buy the Netherlands Reformed Congregation Church building in the 800 block of 7 Street North with the intent of leasing it to the Lethbridge Native Women’s Transition Home Society. The society has been operating since 1994 with the mandate to provide disadvantaged aboriginal women with life skills training that will enable them to move on and live independently.
A pair of society representatives were on hand and tried to assure area residents the facility would take in only those who are serious about becoming independent and would turn away anyone actively abusing drugs or alcohol.
“We’re hoping to be really good neighbours,” said Rachel Hoof, a society board member.
The city has made a conditional offer to purchase the property for about $1 million funded entirely with provincial grant money for social housing.
Michael Kelly, manager of the city’s real estate and land development department, outlined plans for the site which include converting the parsonage to a residence for up to 15 families of single women with or without children and using the church building for childcare, pre-school and other training programs. In addition, a seven-unit townhouse project is proposed for what is currently a parking lot at the north end of the land parcel.
The society assists about 200 women each year and about 90 per cent successfully move on to live independently, said Doris Sweet Grass, the society’s executive director.
Many area residents at the meeting said they see the need for the transition home but said the concentration of low-income housing in their area is too high already.
The proposed plan is the latest attempt to get all of the society’s operations and clients back under one roof. It currently operates out of several locations in West Lethbridge, and women must take the bus to participate in programming at Westminster Hall on the north side.
The organization used to be located in a former convent in the 500 block of 18 Street South but had to move out when the building was sold. In September 2005, the society attempted to buy the then-vacant St. Patrick’s school in the 1000 block of 8 Street South, but strong opposition from neighbours put a stop to rezoning applications.
“We have searched all over Lethbridge to try to locate a suitable venue,” Kelly told the gathering.
A second information meeting is scheduled for Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. at the German Canadian Club, 902 6 Street North. The offer to purchase is subject to the property being successfully rezoned to a direct control classfication specifically for the transition housing project.
The rezoning bylaw is expected to be drafted for first reading by city council by early September, and a public hearing before council would likely take place later that month.
© Copyright by Lethbridge Herald.com
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