Progress continues to be made on the new Burns Lake Foundry, a year after construction kicked off.
The project is a collaboration between Foundry BC, Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS), and first nation groups in the area.
“This past winter was kind to us, so a lot of work was able to get done and now we’re at the point of walls going up,” said CSFS Director of Primary Health Care Randi Mondor.
While the extra work was able to be done through that season, there was a delay with construction due to a nearby ravine that at the time wasn’t taken into account.
Plans were to open in February or March next year but with the delay had been pushed into the spring.
“Foundry is for all youth ages 12 to 24. It will focus on mental health, primary care, peer support, and social services,” said Mondor.
Along with the services provided by Foundry, CSFS will be operating youth services out of the building.
“We hope that we can be open later, on weekends, offer more life skills, fun activities, and things like that,” she said.
Last year, the project was expected to cost $6.7 million.
Due to inflation over the past year, Mondor said it is expected to end with a price tag of $11 million.
The group is still looking for donations and partners to complete the project but has secured 80 per cent of the required funding.
A grand opening is in the works once construction is complete with a date to be announced in the future.
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