Business, interest groups and municipal councils are not standing idly by while the Ford government closes an open custody program near South River for young males.
D.A.R.E., which stands for Development Through Adventure, Responsibility and Education, is scheduled to close April 30.
The private company Wendigo Lake Expeditions operates the facility through a contract arrangement with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and it's one of more than two dozen detention centres the provincial government is closing.
However, Sundridge council wants the Ford government to reverse the decision and is calling on Parry Sound-Muskoka Conservative MPP Norm Miller to help keep the centre open by having it repurposed.
Sundridge Councillor Barbara Belrose says “it's a great disadvantage to the entire Almaguin region to have it closed down.”
“All the kids that are being helped there, this thing needs to stay open,” Belrose said.
“They're coming out good people once they come out. It needs to stay.”
Coun. Stephen Rawn agreed, saying he's read testimonials from adults who were at the facility as troubled young individuals “and it did wonderful things helping them to turn their lives around.”
Rawn also highlighted the negative economic impact the closing will have on the area.
Brent Harris, who owns Sundridge Foodland, has sent a letter to Miller with a copy to Sundridge Mayor Lyle Hall, detailing his concern the closing will have on the area's economy, including his business.
Harris says the Almaguin Highlands region is “economically distressed” and the area relies on the “patronage of every citizen and business to remain viable” in order to be able to continue serving the individual communities.
Harris further writes that D.A.R.E. has resulted in a significant contribution to the businesses, because the facility needs services.
The Foodland owner says it will be a great shame if the facility closes, meaning more people will leave the Almaguin region. The closing will come at a time when there's still a crisis in children's mental health, child welfare, addictions, youth justice prevention and young adult offenders.
The Almaguin Community Economic Development (ACED) organization also called on the Ford government to put the brakes on the closing.
David Gray, ACED's Director of Economic Development, says his organization has supported proposals from Wendigo in the past.
Gray says Wendigo has been able to provide life-changing opportunities for young people who have gone through the facility over the years, adding Wendigo has highly qualified professionals who make an impact on the economy of the Almaguin region.
Gray also says ACED supports Wendigo in its request to have a meeting with relevant stakeholders with the goal of repurposing the facility.
South River Mayor Jim Coleman makes the case for repurposing the centre, in a letter to Miller.
Coleman says the Ford government has identified mental health as its No. 1 priority and is injecting $176 million annually to achieve wellness in mental health and addictions.
Coleman applauds Ford's move in this direction and adds Camp D.A.R.E. can be part of the solution if it's left open and repurposed to help young people with mental health issues.
Coleman says Camp D.A.R.E. is a natural fit and can help the provincial government address mental health.
In his letter, Coleman also asks Miller what he thinks of the idea to repurpose the facility, which has been around since 1971.
By now, Miller's office will also have received a letter from Perry Township council asking that the facility remain open.
According to a letter to the Village of South River from D.A.R.E. board president Stephen Glass, the facility employs more than 20 people.
- Rocco Frangione, Local Journalism, North Bay Nugget. LJI is funded by the Government of Canada.
