PRRD directors debate non-profit’s Site C camp acquisition proposal

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The regional district is supporting a non-profit organization in its quest to modify BC Hydro’s Site C workers camp into a major addictions recovery and treatment centre. 

During the August 14th Peace River Regional District (PRRD) meeting, the board of directors debated a letter submitted by a non-profit organization looking to acquire the Site C workers camp. 

The North Wind Wellness Centre society (NWWC) has been in communication with the PRRD for several months, seeking support in acquiring the 1,700-bed workers camp used by BC Hydro during the construction of the Site C hydroelectric dam on the Peace River. 

In July, the society appeared before the board as a delegation to detail its proposed plans for the camp, and the challenging process involved in connecting with the relevant authorities. 

Board members has been discussing the camp since March, when BC Hydro first approached them on the possibility of the $470 million facility being leveled and sent to landfill after 10 years of use.

The letter reviewed during the August meeting asks for a letter of support from the PRRD to support the NWWC in securing a conversation with the BC Hydro board to discuss the possibility of acquiring the camp. 

According to Mukhtar Latif, NWWC’s consultant who wrote the letter, this conversation is a necessary step before the province can approve the transfer of the land and structure to the society. 

The directors were split on the subject, with some advocating to support the NWWC’s endeavours and others raising concerns about the society already being involved with a recovery centre near Pouce Coupe.

“I would really like to see the work that they’re doing in the new facility [in Pouce Coupe] come to fruition, and not see them get stretched too thin,” director and mayor of Pouce Coupe Danielle Veach said.

Electoral Area E director Dan Rose referred to BC Hydro’s consideration of sending the facility to the landfill as “another example” of BC Hydro “digging their heels in.”

“I’m sure they’d rather have it [destroyed], it’s the quickest, easiest thing for them, and I think it is a tremendous waste if we don’t look at every [option, even] if it sits empty for a year, it’s not a big deal when you talk about the dollars it would cost to even demolish it,” Rose said. 

While he explained he agreed with other directors, referring to the society’s July presentation as a mix of “fantasy island” and “opportunity,” he also emphasized the importance of BC Hydro having a conversation with NWWC. 

“I think we need to support the discussion, it doesn’t mean that we’re in favour of what they put forward,” Rose argued.

Electoral Area B director Reid Graham agreed with this sentiment, also expressing support for the discussion and explaining the conversation and the camp itself were two separate topics at the moment. 

“Just letting them have that discussion with BC Hydro, if nothing else, could delay the demolishing of what’s there, and maybe [give another group] more time to put something else together,” Graham said. 

Director and mayor of Fort St. John Lilia Hansen expressed hesitancy regarding the proposed project, including its impact on the nearby city hoteliers and pressure on healthcare infrastructure.

“I don’t want to see [the camp] going to the landfill, but I can’t support this, and my reasoning is we don’t have the healthcare support for it to be successful,” Hansen said. 

Ultimately, the board voted to send a letter of support for NWWC in its efforts to speak with BC Hydro on the subject. Hansen, Fort St. John director and city councillor Tony Zabinsky and Veach voted in opposition of the request, but were outvoted by the rest of the board.