Pubdate: Wed, 07 Jan 2004 Source: Vancouver Courier (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Vancouver Courier Contact: http://www.vancourier.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/474 Author: Naoibh O'Connor HEROIN CLINIC COULD KICK OUT CHURCH An independent Christian church could be pushed out of its home of 11 years if council approves plans to open an experimental prescribed-heroin clinic at the site. The Revival Centre church, run by pastors Ron and Vera Ward through donations, is currently housed at 84 West Hastings St. in a building owned by the Central City Mission Foundation. Just before Christmas, researchers behind the North American Opiate Medication Initiative (NAOMI) applied to city hall to move into that location and start a short-term scientific trial, studying whether giving addicts free heroin deters criminal activity and improves their lives. Ron Ward said he only learned the church might be evicted when study proponents checked out the location a few weeks ago while a volunteer was cleaning up. Central City Mission has since offered to rent another space to the ministry, in the old Suleman's Meat store, but Ward maintains the narrow building is unsuitable. The Revival Centre runs church services several evenings a week, followed by free meals, serving an estimated 2,000 people a month. It also operates a free clothing bank in the corner site at Abbott and Hastings, which measures about 2,700 square feet. "I decided we may not be allowed to stay here, but I'm going to put up a last fight," said Ward, who's already circulating a petition opposing the application and has written a letter to the mayor and council. Ward and his wife, recovering alcoholics now living in Abbotsford, took over the Revival Centre from her brother George Ferguson in 1988 after volunteering for several years. Ferguson had opened the centre with a partner 40 years before, running it from various buildings in the Downtown Eastside. Since the church moved into 84 West Hastings more than a decade ago, Ward, 71, suspects volunteers have put between $40,000 and $50,000 worth of work into the space. He and his 76-year-old wife likely wouldn't have the energy to do it themselves again, said Ward, who argues the NAOMI trial would be better located in empty buildings like the Four Corners Bank or the old Woodward's or Field's stores-especially since the Revival Centre has been a good neighbour for years in an area plagued by problems. Researchers have already been forced to abandon one prospective location, at 659 East Hastings St., because of opposition. Jim Boothroyd, spokesman for the NAOMI study, noted the Four Corners bank building wasn't available until less than two weeks ago, and the study doesn't have deep enough pockets to renovate a corner of the Field's store or seal off, secure and provide access to a portion of Woodward's. "We have $80,000 to $100,000 to do renovations. That doesn't go a long way and that includes the architect's plan," he said, adding that layout requirements and security concerns limit available options. Boothroyd said residents and tenants have the opportunity to voice concerns now that the application has been filed and NAOMI representatives are more than willing to speak with Ward or anyone else in the neighbourhood. "So far, we've been very encouraged by the amount of support we've had from all the organizations representing the community and individuals and all the neighbours to the site that we've spoken with," he said. "We're sorry to hear that there seems to be an issue between the landlord and tenant on this. It's an issue we didn't foresee, but we've done our level best to consult with the residents in the building." While Ward is still hoping to influence council's decision, he believes it will ultimately be up to a higher power. "The attitude we have is if the Lord will have us here, he'll keep us here." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin