Photo by Whitehorse Star
PROGRESS POSTPONED – The purchase price and renovations costs necessary to transform 22 Wann Rd. into a youth group home is costing taxpayers an estimated $2 million.
Work on group home delayed
Renovation work on a $1.1-million Porter Creek property the Yukon government bought last year to convert into a group home at a similar expense was not done on time – and is now delayed.
Renovation work on a $1.1-million Porter Creek property the Yukon government bought last year to convert into a group home at a similar expense was not done on time – and is now delayed.
Brittany Cross, a spokeswoman for the Department of Highways and Public Works, confirmed that Wednesday afternoon. The department had set April 30 as the completion date for the work at the 22 Wann Rd. site.
Now that May has dawned, Cross said those renovations to take it from a one-time bed and breakfast into a group home for youth transitioning out of government care have not been done because of a delay.
“The completion date has been extended, and we are working with the contractor to determine the revised completion date,” Cross wrote.
The department did not specify the new completion date.
Cross continued the deadline was extended because the delivery of a generator and barrier-free lift did not happen on time.
Whitehorse-based PCR Construcion Ltd. was given the nod for the work at $989,770, the government’s tender management system shows.
Cross added the work is still expected to be completed within the budget of $1.1 million, a figure similar to what YG paid in 2018 to buy the site.
Meanwhile, Health and Social Services spokesperson Pat Living added Wednesday the department is still working with community and First Nation partners on the transition plan for youth to move into the Porter Creek property.
The opening of the Wann Road site is to see the closure of two other downtown Whitehorse group homes. However, it remains unknown at this stage exactly when either will happen, beyond YG’s prior commitment to welcoming youth into the home by this summer.
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Comments (16)
Up 4 Down 0
Josey Wales on May 8, 2019 at 2:36 pm
Hey CJ...easy now, you could be spot on though.
In the cyber world there are these things called NPCs, often professional contrarians that do precisely what you illustrate...support lunacy.
That too could be a consideration?
In today’s time, facts are xenophobic, reality is hate speech as “we now live in clown world” PJW
Up 12 Down 1
Cameron Jacobs on May 7, 2019 at 4:57 pm
I think it is safe to say that Joe and Edie are YG management - likely the Director of FCS and the new manager of clinical manager of child and family Treatment. Those are the only two people who could possibly defend any of this. I along with many taxpayers would like to have some questions answered by them - not this anonymous posting of what a great job everyone is doing. Last time I checked and read there nothing good about any of this.The both of you - demonstrate some integrity it would be a first.
Up 9 Down 1
Nick Westrose on May 7, 2019 at 8:53 am
Yes Mildred where is this Director? Should we not have access to hear her publicly? There are many unanswered questions that the reports bring forth. Perhaps there is another report in the works!
Up 7 Down 2
Edith Parsons on May 7, 2019 at 7:57 am
Joe, you were making fun no? Edie Rue who are you? I suspect you are a Russian troll or else YG management...either way I see through you.
Up 8 Down 2
Mary Pauls on May 7, 2019 at 6:41 am
So will this project be given to First Nation then?
Up 3 Down 12
Joe on May 6, 2019 at 10:49 pm
Haha, I don't even know who the people involved in this project are or any of the details, all I hear is a bunch of anonymous whining and complaining when obviously nothing was done wrong. And my name is Joe BTW.
Up 9 Down 0
My Opinion on May 6, 2019 at 9:22 pm
Why in Heavens Name do we need an emergency generator and barrier free lift in there. No wonder this is costing so much. Put people with mobility issues on ground level and if the lights go out do the same thing the rest of us have to do. WAIT!
Up 6 Down 23
Edie Rue on May 6, 2019 at 7:00 am
It’s very nice to see HSS making smart decisions here and ensuring the quality and safety standards are met before the children and youth are moved into the home.
Up 23 Down 1
Who are you Joe? on May 3, 2019 at 4:40 pm
Joe AKA: Clinical Manager, Child, Youth and Family Treatment? And you were complaining about posting anonymously. This project is a joke and part of the overall cover up but I suspect it benefited you.
Up 23 Down 0
Clinton Gervais on May 3, 2019 at 1:23 pm
Comments are correct this is too spectacularly funny how badly things are going for HSS yet YG wants to pretend there is nothing to see here folks...good job...carry on...didn't happen etc.
Up 16 Down 1
William Goring on May 3, 2019 at 1:18 pm
Since the government is getting out of the care business who will they put in this multi-million dollar home?
Up 25 Down 2
Mildred Manning on May 3, 2019 at 5:37 am
Why are we only hearing from these government spokespeople and not the Director...last we saw her in public was when Director Macdonald came out to our community after she placed a group home in our community...so yeah, not exactly community consultation...the opposite in fact...just do whatever and apologize after...don't actually have a consequence for your actions...is this actual YG management policy?
No wonder staff do not want to participate in a survey...even if they are told they can...makes me wonder why staff would ask for permission to participate in an online survey anyway...what kind of scare tactics are at work here...YG lawyers at PDWA interviews with staff only meets the needs of a worried employer not staff interests...there is some very bad things here and basic rights are at stake with this government not taking responsibility.
Up 11 Down 35
joe on May 2, 2019 at 6:16 pm
It's great to see the government working through this project. It is a great location, the home seems perfectly suited for the modifications and use and, it's obvious you could never get a building this size for that price. Good work!
Up 26 Down 3
Brenda on May 2, 2019 at 5:27 pm
What ? Its been delayed I am shocked. Perhaps when they said it would open in the summer they meant next summer? It has remained vacant for over a year and is costing double the money. Will the manager of the project be available to answer questions about why? He's not available because he went to another job, a lot of unfinished business and unanswered questions everywhere this manager seems to go. No accountability.....again
Up 28 Down 4
Lost In the Yukon on May 2, 2019 at 4:44 pm
LOL ... and brought to you by the Gang that couldn't shoot straight. If it wasn't so sad and infuriating and a further sign of rampant incompetence within HSS you could almost laugh.
Up 31 Down 5
Max Justice on May 2, 2019 at 3:33 pm
Where is the manager of this project? When the latest reports on group homes by the Child and Youth Advocate and the Commissioner were issued he made sure he got out of dodge. Clinical Manager, Child, Youth and Family Treatment - hope they don't have any youth to protect or group homes to renovate. Quite the legacy.