Alberta’s government is building for the future with the construction of the Lethbridge recovery community. Recovery communities, also known as therapeutic communities, are used in more than 65 countries around the world.
Construction is expected to be completed later this year and will support more than 100 well-paying construction and construction-related jobs. Once operational, the recovery community will employ about 100 staff.
“I am proud that Alberta Infrastructure is overseeing the construction of these important projects throughout the province. Our goal is to have the Lethbridge residential treatment facility up and running as soon as possible to put suffering Albertans on the path to recovery.”
“Addiction and mental health challenges have taken a significant toll on southern Alberta over the past decade. Increasing treatment capacity in Lethbridge is long overdue. Alberta’s government is proud to make this investment to save lives, support recovery and bring hope to the community of Lethbridge.”
“I am very happy to see Alberta’s government supporting addiction recovery, especially in our area of the province. It is so important to recognize the value of this investment, as it will literally save the lives of our family and friends who are trapped in addiction or battling mental illness. This investment brings a lot of hope to southern Albertans.”
“Many Albertans are suffering from mental health and addiction issues today, exacerbated by two years of dealing with the pandemic. This facility couldn’t have come at a more needed time.”
“Recovery for mental health and addictions often takes time. The additional 50 beds right here in Lethbridge open much-needed long-term recovery and treatment options to directly help these individuals. Expanding a full spectrum of care will lead to greater success addressing this urgent need.”
“Addiction continues to take a significant toll on the residents of Lethbridge and the surrounding communities. This new recovery community will help those struggling with addiction change their lives while also providing a positive path forward for our community. The City of Lethbridge is proud to partner with Alberta’s government to create a recovery-oriented system of care here in southern Alberta.”
The almost $18-million project will be located at 85043 Range Road 212 on Crown land.
Synergy Projects will oversee construction of the project. The company was selected through a public and competitive request for proposal process.
The Lethbridge Recovery Community is part of a provincewide initiative to introduce a new type of intensive addiction treatment not previously provided by Alberta’s government. Recovery communities are also being built in Red Deer, Gunn, and on the Blood Tribe First Nation. These recovery communities will be the first of their kind in Alberta.
Recovery communities are a form of long-term residential treatment that focus on supporting people who are pursuing recovery. Recovery is seen as a gradual, ongoing process of behavioural change through clinical and peer interventions aimed at improving a person’s overall well-being.
Alberta’s government is helping Albertans access life-saving addiction and mental health-related prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery resources. This includes supporting the addition of 4,000 new publicly funded addiction treatment spaces; the elimination of daily user fees for publicly funded residential addiction treatment; a new patient matching tool, Recovery Access Alberta; and services to reduce harm, such as the Digital Overdose Response system (DORS), the introduction of a nasal naloxone pilot and the expansion of opioid agonist therapy.
Quick facts
- Construction of the Lethbridge recovery community is expected to create about 100 construction and construction-related jobs.
- Synergy Projects Ltd. was the successful construction vendor selected through a standard government request for proposal process.
- The construction contract price is approximately $18 million, including the initial $5-million investment made in 2020 through Alberta’s Recovery Plan.
- Construction is expected to be completed in late 2022.
- Construction will take place on site and at a modular manufacturing facility in southern Alberta.
- Contact Alberta 211 for information about addiction treatments and supports available throughout the province.
- Albertans struggling with opioid use anywhere in the province can call the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program seven days a week at 1-844-383-7688 to access same-day treatment.
