More injection objections

Photo: Insite

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce has also come out against Interior Health's proposed location for a safe injection site.

"We have heard loud and clear from our members located downtown that the number of individuals congregating, damaging property and driving off customers is already intolerable," says Chamber president Tom Dyas.

"We do not believe that the addition of the safe consumption site will improve public safety or promote a healthy business environment on Leon Avenue."

Its position formally backs the Downtown Kelowna Association's objection to the 477 Leon Ave. site. In fact, the Chamber goes a step further, adding it doesn't want the site located anywhere near there.

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce represents almost 1,400 members throughout the greater Kelowna area.

It says the Chamber and DKA has made it a priority for years to make the Leon area safer and to revitalize it.

"The DKA is seriously concerned that a supervised consumption site at that location will undermine public safety in the Leon area and will present a roadblock to revitalization. We think that they are right."

Interior Health hasn't yet made a decision on whether it will submit an application to the provincial government for a safe consumption site. Before it decides, it is accepting feedback on its website until Dec. 15.

IH says it's not considering locating the safe consumption site in its own downtown building.