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Boyle Street Community Services is hoping a partnership of 16 agencies — including non-profits, the public and the private sectors — will breathe new life into the mothballed old remand centre on 97th Street. Their $93 million plan would redevelop the largely empty jail into a groundbreaking new community and wellness centre to assist the city's most vulnerable.
The presentation made Thursday to the Edmonton Police Commission outlined the plans for the former remand centre, which has sat empty since its closure in 2013. Boyle Street Community Services suggested the new Manasc Isaac-designed facility could offer health care, including mental health services, plus addiction, detox and employment services. A daycare and some social housing may also be provided.
The provincial government has already been briefed on the proposal. Boyle Street says funds from the provincial and federal governments would need to total approximately $70 million for the project to proceed, with the remaining money to be collected through fundraising.
Conversion of the 200,000-square-foot complex would save Boyle Street a significant amount of money as they look to expand their facilities. Police Chief Rod Knecht signalled his support for the idea, saying that homeless, mentally ill individuals, and people struggling with addictions should not be relegated to the drunk tank.
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