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Family centre cooked - Hache

Peter Crnogorac
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 01/06) - A Yellowknife Family centre is worried about closing after being slapped with multiple health and fire code violations.

"We are concerned we'll have to take drastic measures - like shutting down," said Arlene Hache, executive director of the Centre for Northern Families, yesterday.

NNSL Photo/graphic

Arlene Hache, executive director of the Centre of Northern Families, points to damage in the facility's kitchen yesterday. The unglued countertop is one of 39 fire and health violations that must be fixed by Nov. 15. - Peter Crnogorac/NNSL photo


"I'm extremely worried."

Hache said that the shelter is $172,000 in debt. And to make matters worse, a new financial dilemma has recently come up.

"Our insurance, because of activities and living arrangements, has moved our rate from $15,000 to $27,000 a year."

This added burden is something Hache said could close the shelter for good.

"We're drowning," she said. "I'd say we're cooked."

Hache said the centre's troubles began after an article concerning fund shortages for the centre appeared in Yellowknifer, Sept. 20.

"Staff here found it bizarre that on Sept. 28 the fire marshal shows up," she said.

"He does an inspection then decides on his own to call the health inspector because he said he heard rumours that the place was infested with bugs."

The fire safety inspection was conducted by deputy fire chief Chucker Dewar. The health inspection was done through the Stanton Territorial Health Authority by its environmental health officer Tanja Rarog, who was unavailable for comment at press time.

There are 39 health and fire violations all together.

Mold growth throughout the building was first on the health inspector's list.

Other infractions included: kitchen counters coming unglued; infrequent kitchen cleanings; and refrigerators without thermometers.

The inspection report did not list "bugs" as a problem.

Dewar sent the shelter a letter outlining 31 fire safety deficiencies.

The list encompasses the mundane - such as smoke detectors with excessive lint build-up - to the serious.

According to his report, the facility's exterior chimney doesn't meet code requirements.

Also, Hache said Dewar told her that the shelter now has a cap on the number of residents allowed in the home.

"We are allowed 18 people in the back and five in the front," Hache said. Before the cap, the shelter would sometimes allow up to 32 women and children.

Hache said the new rules have caused at least one uncomfortable situation.

"The other night staff had to turn away a woman and she became belligerent. We had to call the RCMP."

Dewar said he visited the shelter after an occupancy and health complaint by a member of the public.

"We received a complaint from the public regarding the number of residents and health issues," he said.

When asked if the Yellowknifer article prompted his visit, Dewar said he believed that the person who made the complaint decided to after reading the story.

Although the shelter was officially given until Nov. 15 to comply to the fire safety orders, Dewar said he is certain the women and their children at the shelter would not be evicted.

"No, that's highly unlikely," he said.

"We're here to help. If they're having trouble meeting the deadline, an extension is something we can talk about."

Hache said the structural changes needed in order to satisfy the fire and health codes should be taken on by building's owner, the NWT Housing Corporation.

"The big challenge is I don't think they can do all the changes by the health inspector's deadline of Nov. 3," said Hache.

The NWT Housing Corporation recently made a call for tenders to renovate the shelter. The deadline is Nov. 7.

Milt Pittman, NWT Housing Corporation's technical advisor for upgrades to the centre did not return calls by press time.

Charles Dent, minister responsible for women's issues, said that from what he has heard the shelter will not be shut down.

"My understanding is the Housing (Corporation) is moving forward to deal with the deficiencies. From what I hear, the shelter being shut down is not an issue."