Turning Point Recovery Centre proposal angers North Vancouver residents

So many North Vancouver residents turned out at a public meeting on a proposed drug and alcohol recovery facility that organizers had to reschedule for another night in a bigger room.

The proposed facility, which would be operated by Turning Point Recovery SocietyonWindridge Drive near Mount Seymour Parkway, would provide nine beds for men with addiction issues.

• Learn more about the proposed facility

But with more than 100 people crammed into the room and almost as many lined up down the hall, District of North Vancouver general manager Brian Bydwell made an unpopular announcement.

"I will make the commitment on behalf of the district as soon as feasibly possible, we will reschedule in a room that will accommodate everyone," said Bywell.

Resident Paddi Nikbin was not pleased with the decision to cancel the meeting.

"Our life has been upside down. People cannot sleep and we are going to have this meeting and we are going to have it today," said Nikbin.

Heated discussions

But despite her protests, the official part of the meeting ended and the room broke off into smaller heated discussions.

Lorinda Strang who runs a recovery program, said the new facility would help those in need.

"Addiction is an illness. They deserve respect and dignity and they would be an asset to any neighbourhood," said Strang.

But resident Mora Kerr remained opposed.

"I don't want to bring up kids around a a recovery house. We have a lot of kids that walk on that street because there is a high school on the next block," said Kerr.

The district says it will try to reschedule the public meeting in the next three weeks.

Google Maps: Windridge Drive, North Vancouver