Introducing: Sylvan Lake Property

March 9, 2021

An important update: after extensive, careful consideration by our Board and Leadership Team, coupled with unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest standards in our program, we have come to the difficult conclusion to halt the Sylvan Lake property expansion indefinitely. Learn more about this decision in our most recent update.

The Opportunity Presented

When a community member in Central Alberta passed away, she left a large lakeside property with 80 acres of land and a large retreat centre. In her will, she asked that the property be sold to a women-centred non-profit that was faith-based and serving people in need in Alberta.

Our Adeara-PAR Foundation partnership team came across this opportunity, and realized that Adeara checked every box that the owner had hoped for. We put our name forward, and our offer was approved!

The need for addiction recovery services in central Alberta is great:

• In 2020, Alberta saw a stark increase in opioid-related deaths. These record levels correlated with a decrease in treatment and harm reduction services due to COVID-19.
• In each previous year before COVID-19, the number of fentanyl-related deaths has risen. Almost all opioid poisoning deaths are now related to fentanyl.
• In 2017, the estimated cost of substance use in Canada was $46 billion. That amounts to $1,258 for every Canadian.

Expanding Adeara’s Addiction Program

Because of this property opportunity, a door has opened. Through this centre and land, Adeara plans to expand the addiction treatment work it is already doing to central Alberta. In the future, we could see:

• A new 90-day addiction treatment program for central Alberta, occurring multiple times a year as an extension of Adeara. This would give even more women in need access to Adeara’s services.
• Retreat opportunities for current Adeara residents and Adeara alumni. Recovery is a life-long journey, and this property will give us one more opportunity to connect with the women who need our continued support.
• Opportunity for partnership with other organizations serving at-risk populations in Alberta. Whether it be a centre for community retreats, summer camps, or more, this centre can serve not just Adeara’s clients, but our larger Alberta community.
• Expansion of property facilities. This expansive property has so much potential: to create walking trails, develop space for outdoor activities and therapy, and more.

Supporting accredited, community-based recovery centres such as Adeara means supporting sustainable change in the drug and alcohol abuse landscape. Today, we have the opportunity to expand our impact and directly address the substance abuse crisis in Alberta.

An important update: after extensive, careful consideration by our Board and Leadership Team, coupled with unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest standards in our program, we have come to the difficult conclusion to halt the Sylvan Lake property expansion indefinitely. Learn more about this decision in our most recent update.