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Weyburn city council had another chance to vote on the care home permit proposed by the Saskatchewan Housing Authority Corporation, this time voting in favour of the Discretionary Use Application for a care home for people with disabilities in the Creeks subdivision.
“I think in the end, we’re just all very happy we’ve come to a successful conclusion. I think everyone’s learned a lot in the last two weeks and I think together. We’re just looking forward to having this home built,” said Doug Rogers, president of Terra Developments, developer of the Creeks subdivision.
Council chambers were packed for the meeting, likely due to the fact that council had previously voted against the care home permit during the March 11 meeting after receiving discouraging letters from some area residents.
“On behalf of the Weyburn Group Home Society, we’re very pleased how the motion went tonight,” said Rod Stafford, chair of the Weyburn Group Home Society. “We’re very happy that whoever brought the pressure to bear on council to cause this to reconsider, and it certainly wasn’t us. That they reconsidered it was positive for the group home society tonight.”
Stafford noted the experience was educational for the public, with outcry coming from all over Weyburn and the province.
“I think the past two weeks have been very instructive to everybody involved, in terms of the support the facility had for it community-wide, nation-wide, and just how things can perhaps run off the rails if the process isn’t fully understood and followed,” he said.
Councillors present for the vote were Winston Bailey, Jeff Richards, Jeff Chessall and Dick Michel. Coun. Mel Van Betuw recused himself from voting for pecuniary interests. Coun. Brad Wheeler was not present for the meeting.
The Weyburn Group Home Society has been operating care homes in Weyburn for more than 40 years. Currently, the organization runs three care homes in Weyburn.
Shortly after the decision, Paul Merriman, social service minister, issued a statement commending it.
“I am pleased that Weyburn City Council has voted to move forward with the group home planned for their community,” the statement read.
“Inclusive communities benefit everyone in our province and this group home will give people with intellectual disabilities in Weyburn the opportunity to live and be part of the community of their choice. I look forward to attending the grand opening of this home in the Creeks neighbourhood.”