Teen Challenge makes 3rd attempt to set up addiction centre in St. John's

A group that wants to build an addictions centre at the site of the formerCircle Square Ranch in St. John's says it's not giving up and hassubmitted its third proposal.

• Teen Challenge to St. John's council: open addictions centre to save women
• Road cost derails bid for St. John's addiction centre

Our priority is establishing a 'road to recovery' for those struggling with addiction.- Ray Andrews

St. John's city council rejectedTeen Challenge Canada's previousplan for a25-bed centre, aimed at women over 18 trying to overcome substance abuse problems, saying the road to the proposed site wasunsafe, and would be too expensive for the city to upgrade.

"We have made every effort to respect the ongoing requirements of council, and have now indicated in our third application that we are committed to covering the cost of the road upgrade," said Ray Andrews, co-chair of the Teen Challenge NL steering committee, in a news release.

"Our priority is establishing a 'road to recovery' for those struggling with addiction, which continues to ravage and claim lives with each day that passes."

The gravel road in question is just offFowler'sRoad, near Chamberlains inConception Bay South.

The city's main concern was that the road was adequate for fire and emergency vehicle access and city officials said St. John's wouldn't pay for a private road to the facility.

Andrews said in the release that the extra cost ofmore than $1-millionis confusing, since the road is well-maintained by the city and "does not appear to be a safety concern for the people who already live there."

One hundred and thirty-two acres have been purchasedon Fowler's Road andthe treatment centrewould only require 30 acres. Requestshave alsobeen made tohave theland at the proposed site rezoned for institutional use.

It's the right thing to do, there's a great need for it and I think the location is a good one.- Tom Hann

Coun. Tom Hann spoke with the group Friday and said there are a number of scenarios on the table, adding that the group has agreed to pave the road to upgrade it to city standards.

Although the proposal has a number of steps to go through beforeit's a done deal, he said once the formalapplication is received it could go before council within a few weeks.

"I think the vote would be positive because in the past ... most of the people on council have stood up and supported the establishment of a centre there," Hann told CBC News.

"It's the right thing to do, there's a great need for it and I think the location is a good one."

Teen Challenge said itsnew proposal for a 24-bed centre will not require any municipal or provincial funding toset up, because money will come mainly from private sponsors.