Dear Editor
Residents of Caleb Village met Nov. 9 with representatives of Lighthouse Saskatoon regarding a regional care facility located at 1671 - 104th St. in North Battleford.
Some of the information obtained during a question period is as follows:
The representatives were unable to provide information about who owns this property. Also, there is a backlog of taxes owning. Who will be responsible to pay these taxes?
Funding to run this facility comes from government agencies such as social services, community living, family services and others. Staff is on duty 16 out of 24 hours with no staff from 11 p.m. until morning.
Capacity is nine clients, with four already living there. One has been referred from another city and another from another town other than the Battlefords. Nothing seems to be in place regarding the area covered for residents, however they are concentrating on homeless people in the Battlefords.
Clients have choices of their lifestyle when not in the building, but drugs and alcohol are not allowed within the building. They may continue to use drugs or alcohol outside and go back to the facility. Guests or relatives visiting these clients could be socializing outside in the area near Caleb.
The above location is in the area of Caleb Village. The residents of Caleb range in age from 70 to more than 90 years. Many use wheelchairs, walkers and canes and have hearing and vision problems. Residents can often be found on the walking trails throughout Centennial Park just steps away from the property. These special walking trails meander through wetland areas and are a place where residents can watch for birds, muskrats and other native Saskatchewan wildlife.
The residents of Caleb are vulnerable. The location of this proposed facility with residents with a different kind of vulnerability adds another factor to our safety and security.
Ad hoc committee of Caleb Village
This letter has been updated to show the correct address for the proposed facility.
