Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / Chilliwack City Council passed a policy resolution at its meeting earlier this week that would not enforce a zoning bylaw or B.C. Building Code for a wellness shelter at 45951 Trethewey Avenue until December 31. According to information on two websites, clients can get their drugs safely checked there. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack wellness centre

Council extends Chilliwack wellness centre, clients can get drugs checked there

Apr 21, 2023 | 9:30 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack City Council has agreed to extend the operations of a wellness centre shelter located just west of Young Road near an existing supportive housing building, and about a block from another supportive housing complex under construction, at its meeting this past Tuesday (Apr. 18).

Agenda item 7.18 called for councillors to approve a policy resolution that would not enforce a zoning bylaw or B.C. Building Code for the building at 45951 Trethewey Avenue, the former home of the Chilliwack Times newspaper, until December 31.

A portion of the motion approved by council members stated, “Whereas a daytime Wellness Centre is still urgently needed to accommodate and support many people who are living precariously throughout the City in makeshift camps or on the streets, with a significant negative impact to themselves and the surrounding community.”

The motion indicated funding has been made available through partnerships with B.C. Housing, Fraser Health Authority, Reaching Home, and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities to continue supporting the operations of a wellness centre through to December 31.

The city of Chilliwack said the fire chief has inspected the building and concluded there are no immediate life safety concerns.

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On November 9, 2022, Chilliwack City Council passed a policy resolution that would facilitate the opening of a wellness centre at 45951 Trethewey Avenue. With Tuesday’s vote, council members have now extended the original resolution to continue operating the daytime wellness shelter through Dec. 31, 2023.

According to a Fraser Health website listing, clients can get their drugs checked out safely at the site.

During a visit to the exterior of the building Thursday, a reporter noticed a small sign with the acronym of PCRS written on it, referring to Pacific Community Resources Society.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML

According to the Mountainside Harm Reduction Society website, “Chilliwack has a new drop-in centre for harm reduction, peer support and service navigation; we will offer our drug checking services there on Wednesdays & Saturday afternoons! OPS/SCS opens April 17th!” It references 45951 Trethewey Avenue as the PCRS Wellness Centre.

According to a staff report prepared by Holly Ferris, manager of social development for the city of Chilliwack, it was determined that the establishment of a culturally safe, trauma-informed day centre with wrap around supports would help support the improved health, safety and well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness, through the Community Safety Plan and the ongoing work of the Community Response Team. Establishing such a venue would also meet the city’s long-standing vision for a one stop contact centre, Ferris wrote in her report.

Ferris advised councillors in her report that PCRS staff have been proactive in their outreach to neighbours of the centre and closely liaise with the city, B.C. Housing, RCMP, and Griffin Security to respond to questions or concerns as they arise regarding the centre’s operations.

PCRS negotiated a lease with the property owner and obtained building occupancy in December 2022. Renovations were initiated to create additional office space for service providers, create storage space, and install laundry facilities. Furniture and supplies were acquired, staff positions were posted and filled accordingly, and training occurred ahead of the wellness shelter’s opening on January 17, 2023, Ferris wrote in her report.