Fort St. John OPS site, warming centre opens

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The location of the OPS site and warming centre. (Tre Lopushinsky, Energeticcity.ca)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Health’s contentious overdose prevention services (OPS) site and warming centre opened on Monday in Fort St. John.

The Fort St. John Health Services Centre, containing OPS and warming centre and located at 10067 100th Avenue, will be open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The facility is in the same location where the city and Urban Matters previously operated the Fort St. John Warming Centre.

The centre was expected to open near the end of November at the latest and depended on the completion of renovations needed inside the facility.

Eryn Collins, media relations with Northern Health, said challenges had arisen in light of escalating construction costs. The health authority also had to review the building’s layout and the ability to bring in the services they could while planning for the future use of the space.

Collins said minor renovations continue, and there will be further renovations as the health centre adds other services in the future.

The site offers an indoor substance use space, an enclosed outdoor inhalation area, and referrals to treatment options and harm reduction services.

Collins says a registered nurse, mental health and substance use clinicians, an intensive case management team and life skills workers will be on site.

Services offered will not include overnight access or accommodation, although additional services may be added in the future.

The warming centre offers a warm place to come during the day and the ability to obtain hot drinks and food.

Northern Health’s COO Angela De Smit announced the new location for the site last November.

Since the location was announced, many community members, businesses, and organizations, including the Fort St. John Chamber of Commerce, have voiced their concerns about the site and its location.

The local chamber released a letter earlier this year with their recommendations for the site at 10067 100th Avenue, which included suggestions such as more security and better lighting.