LAKELAND - The provincially operated Youth Assessment Centre (YAC) in Lac La Biche County that has been serving troubled youth in need of a safe supportive environment for over 40 years is scheduled to close for almost three years for a construction retro-fit.
Alberta’s Minister of Justice Tyler Shandro was expected to answer some questions directly to the Lac La Biche POST newsroom during a meeting with ministers last Friday, but no direct explanations about the project were made.
Instead, Alberta’s Minister of Children’s Servies Rebecca Schulz issued statement to the newsroom relating to the closure, the project and the impacts on local youth in care and the 27 staff members attached to the local operation.
She said the project will see extensive upgrades to the decades-old facility that operates on 94 Avenue in Lac La Biche near the Portage College student housing complex. She said a total of $8 million will go into the re-build that is scheduled to begin next March.
She and her department officials have ensured staff and youth that a transition to other facilities and programming over the three year closure will offer as few impacts as possible.
Last week, a spokesperson for the minister sent information on behalf of the department saying the well-being of the assessment centre’s young clients is paramount.
“The safety and protection of children and youth is our highest priority – we will continue to make sure youth in the Lac La Biche area receive the support they need,” noted the statement. “Planning is currently underway to ensure youth are transitioned to appropriate spaces and staff to other positions in the ministry prior to the start of construction.”
While the facility goes through construction and prepares to open in 2025, the Minister’s office said once the site is up and running it will continue to be run by the province and not transition into a privately-run centre.
“Alberta's government will continue to own and operate the centre,” stated the release.
