ESTEVAN — Representatives from the Aurora Recovery Centre were busy answering questions June 27 during an open house at its new Estevan family reunification facility.
Approximately 50 people attended the session at the former Quality Inns and Suites in Estevan. Aurora purchased the hotel, along with the Estevan Motel 6, earlier this year as part of its operation.
The open house featured question and answer opportunities, videos, group gatherings and an opportunity to learn more about what Aurora is doing in Estevan. Aurora also had profiles of its Estevan staff members and testimonials from members who have gone through treatment and recovery in Manitoba.
Program director Chantal Klainchar told SaskToday that more than 50 people attended the session, and the opening hour from 4-5 p.m. was the busiest point. People wanted to know how the program operates.
"There were a lot of questions about the two hotels that were purchased, and which site will be used for which [purpose]," said Klainchar.
Aurora was eager to spread information about the program and make the community aware of what it does when it comes to family reunification, she said.
"I think the biggest thing was just building awareness. A lot of people were confused as to what was happening at the former Motel 6 site versus here," said Klainchar.
A lot of the community members who came were very supportive, she said. Some people had questions and concerns, and after learning more about the program, she said it seemed to put their minds at ease. There was also lots of interest from service providers in the community regarding collaboration, she said.
Approximately 35 people, including parents and children, were staying at the former Quality Inn location, as of the afternoon of June 30. Aurora hasn't had any issues since families started staying there, she said.
"We are expecting to have more people here eventually. We are in the very early stages here," said Klainchar.
As for the former Motel 6, it continues to operate as a hotel, with the public and Aurora's employees among those staying there.
Aurora president and CEO Michael Bruneau was also pleased with the response from the community for the open house. Prior to hosting the event, it needed to take possession of the two hotels, hire the staff and get them accustomed to their new jobs so the employees could answer questions.
"I knew there was a need for what we're doing. So, the people are now coming today and talking to our counsellors and managers, and they're asking a lot of different questions about how long people stay and what we offer," said Bruneau.
He believes the first members would have started arriving around June 7 or 8.
For those who weren't able to attend the open house, Klainchar said Aurora is always open to providing tours or more information. It can also host one-on-one sessions.
"We really just want to engage with the community as much as we can here, and get to know community members," she said.
