The site is located at the former Peace River Haven site at 5213 Hospital Road in Pouce Coupe and is on the traditional ancestral territory of Treaty 8 First Nations; serving First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and persons of non-Indigenous ancestry.

We conducted a feasibility study in Farmington that determined there is not enough water, sewer capacity or three-phase power to meet the needs of an expanded centre at that site. The site in Pouce Coupe is fully serviced and has the infrastructure to support the expanded centre. The current zoning also supports the site being developed in this unique way.

More than 13,000 people have tragically lost their lives in B.C. because of unregulated drug toxicity since the public health emergency into substance-related harms was declared in 2016, and Northern Health reports the highest death rate in the province due to this crisis. Many of these deaths are preventable, however, local wait times for treatment are approximately five weeks and waiting for treatment can lead to an increased risk of death.

Many people in northeastern B.C., especially Indigenous people, struggle to get the care they need, and the expansion will help address the gap, and help save lives. The effects of substance use disorders are often devastating to individuals, families, workplaces, and communities. The proposed wellness centre will support the Province of B.C.’s goal to make substance use care more seamless, better integrated, and easier to access.

Construction is expected to begin in summer 2024. 

Some people who decide to access appropriate treatment are forced to relocate to other communities away from their jobs or support networks and can end up in the hospital. The expanded centre is expected to reduce that need for people to relocate and may reduce hospital visits, taking pressure off the health system. Our out-patient program will work with local industries to assist people in their recovery, especially in cases where a person may not need a full range of services.

Once completed, the centre will help local people, employ approximately 30 staff (10 are existing staff) and provide opportunities for volunteers to learn new skills and help support residents. NWWC is planning to operate social enterprises to provide life skills to the participants that will contribute to the local economy. NWWC is in discussions with Kwantlen Polytechnic University on a proposed agriculture program and with Northern Lights College in Dawson Creek on a trades program.

• Employment opportunities – recruiting at least 20 new staff including maintenance, security, and facilities staff.
• Volunteer opportunities – running agricultural, trades, culinary, and other training programs. There will be an opportunity for local people with experience and expertise to support the residents in learning new skills.
• Social enterprises – the project aims to make residents self-sufficient. We are exploring potential opportunities to sell agricultural produce and use the commercial kitchen to provide meals to the community.

The new centre in Pouce Coupe, when completed, will help to meet the variable local and regional demand for services, which will be approximately 1,500 people staggered over the course of a year.

When completed, there will be approximately 30 people working at the site.

We plan to employ 20 new staff (in addition to the current 10) and there will be other opportunities to engage with the community for volunteers to help provide services.

The reason some individuals aren’t successful in recovery is because they get disconnected from a system that’s their lifeline. This occurs due to lack of housing after treatment and a discontinuation of services caused by pre- and post-treatment gaps in services and waitlists. Some people are also forced to relocate to other communities away from family and support networks. A key element of programming will be the integration of educational and vocational training with a focus on agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry, entrepreneurial guidance, as well as trade skills development.

The project has strong support from Treaty 8 Tribal Association, Peace River Regional District, Streetohome Foundation, First Nations Health Authority, Northern Health, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, BC Housing, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and the community. During community engagement sessions in 2022, there was strong support from those who attended.

The North Wind Wellness Centre Society conducted a recovery bed needs assessment in 2019, which determined there was a demand for more services. It was also determined the community could support a facility of up to 120 beds. In 2020, Urban Matters was hired to complete a needs analysis which confirmed this demand. 

Both First Nations Health Authority and Northern Health are key partners in this development. The design of the building is flexible to accommodate programs that will be accessible to the local community, such as a future wellness hub.

On March 16, 2022, North Wind Wellness Centre presented an information package to Pouce Coupe Village Council. There were also community information sessions on May 10, 2022 (virtual) and May 16, 2022 (open house). NWWC shared information on the sessions with the community, through the Village of Pouce Coupe newsletter, and on social media. The public can also request information at any time by calling (250) 843-6977, ext. 101 or by e-mailing admin@northwindwc.ca.

During North Wind Wellness Centre’s 28-year history of operating in Farmington, there has been virtually no reported incidents connected to participants. People living on site are part of a supervised program and people accessing services are there to get well and are focused on treatment so they can return to their regular lives, families, and employment. 

The project will make use of the existing entrance to the site and an emergency entrance will be accessible from the highway. An analysis showed that traffic into the facility will be less than what it was when Peace River Haven was operating.