Controversial Kelowna supportive housing facility will be ‘dry’

KELOWNA – The compromise on the McCurdy Road supportive housing project reached between the City of Kelowna and B.C. Housing is that the Rutland facility will be "dry" not "wet."

Mayor Colin Basran made that announcement at a special city council meeting today, July 17, in front of about 100 people, mostly opposed to the wet facility concept.

“I feel quite relieved by the step that has been taken,” Coun. Luke Stack said. “We, as a council, made the decision that, if it became a dry facility, we would support it.”

The facility will only house people who agree to work towards recovery and not use illegal drugs. It will also have a nurse on-site seven days a week and additional security for the first six months.

“I hope today’s announcement will bring peace to Rutland,” Coun. Mohini Singh said.

That’s not likely to happen since there was a collective groan from the audience when Coun. Gail Given said, “all apartments in the city could be a wet facility.”

City councillors appeared to be all in support of the new plan for the supportive housing project.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Rob Munro or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.