Hay River (May 23/05) - The former Dene K'onia facility will get a new lease on life with plans to move a treatment centre for children from Yellowknife to Hay River.

The Territorial Treatment Centre (TTC) will move into the building left empty when the Dene K'onia Young Offenders Facility closed in April.

"That's the direction we're intending to move," says Health and Social Services Minister Michael Miltenberger.

The building needs extensive renovations before the move.

"All in all, we're looking at about 18 months for the renovations and the transfer of programming so that it's up and running," Miltenberger says.

The TTC building in Yellowknife was due for renovations, but the $3 million will now be spent on the Dene K'onia building.

The TTC offers help for children with mild to moderate behavioural problems, the minister explains.

The eight-bed centre, which houses boys and girls aged eight to 12, is operated on contract by Bosco Homes. The contract has been extended by a year to allow the company to help with the transfer.

It hasn't been determined who will operate the Hay River facility once it's open.

Seventeen full-time jobs and six relief workers will be affected in Yellowknife. They are not unionized or GNWT employees.

Miltenberger says some of the workers may choose to move to Hay River. The new TTC may also provide employment to some of the workers who lost their jobs when Dene K'onia closed.

Hay River lost 15.5 full-time equivalent positions, plus casuals, when Dene K'onia closed.

MLA supports move

The existing TTC is in MLA Bill Braden's Great Slave riding in Yellowknife.

Braden says he takes a territorial view of the move, calling it a good decision. "I'm a supporter of this."

The MLA notes moving the program to Hay River will allow more children to be helped and the renovation money will be better spent than on the older building in Yellowknife.

Braden says the move will also help Hay River replace some of the jobs lost to government cuts. "I see some balancing there."

Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen says the relocation goes a long way to offset the closure of Dene K'onia and the remand centre at the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre. "It certainly brings jobs to Hay River."

Groenewegen adds the Dene K'onia building is suitable for the treatment centre, right down to the proper zoning. "I think it's a great fit."