Batshaw breaks ground for new Beaconsfield facility

BEACONSFIELD, Que. –  It’s taken a while, but finally, officials at Batshaw Youth and Family Services put the ceremonial shovel in the ground in Beaconsfield on Wednesday.

It marked the end of 12 years of legal battles.

“It’s been a very long time coming,” said Batshaw president Judy Martin.  “A lot of blood, sweat and tears.”

A patch of land on Elm Avenue will soon be transformed into a facility for troubled West Island kids.

Take a look at the plans for the Beaconsfield facility:

The plans call for nine “open custody” housing units for 108 youngsters and the project will cost an estimated $55 million dollars.

Earlier this summer, officials broke ground in Dorval on another project.

The facility at 625 Dawson Avenue is being expanded to include two new “closed custody” units will be used to house young delinquents.

For years, area residents have expressed worries about the projects.

“A lot of concerns regarding property value,” said Al Gardner, the spokesperson for a citizens’ group in Beaconsfield.

Gardner noted that “98 per cent” of his group’s concerns have been dealt with.

But the construction of the Beaconsfield campus has been creating headaches for Portage, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre.

Portage sits on the parcel of land where the new facility will be built.

The group has been asked to relocate by December 2014.

“Obviously there is a worry,” said Seychelle Harding, the centre’s director of communications.

“Real estate in the West Island is very expensive. There isn’t much land available.”

Harding said that the group may be forced to move outside of Montreal; possibly to the Laurentians.

Portage runs another centre in Prevost.

“Let’s just say that’s not the ideal situation,” Harding added.