Eric and Louisa were two of the first clients at the $1.46 million Sobering/Day Centre.

SA国际影视传媒淐ompared to the last few places, itSA国际影视传媒檚 more spacious, cleaner. I find the people are calmer, just a better feeling in the building,SA国际影视传媒� said Eric, who didnSA国际影视传媒檛 wish to give his last name.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou can do laundry. You can take a shower. You can take a nap,SA国际影视传媒� said Louisa, who also withheld her surname. SA国际影视传媒淢e being homeless ... itSA国际影视传媒檚 easier for me to go there and use the phone; send out applications for housing. I donSA国际影视传媒檛 drink so itSA国际影视传媒檚 easier for me SA国际影视传媒� hard, but easier.SA国际影视传媒�

YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 new Sobering/Day Centre officially opened its doors Monday morning, although it actually started operation on Friday.

And there was friction between neighbours almost right from the start.

That included April Desjarlais, landlord of the Finn Hansen Building, and an early skeptic of the location of the new centre.

"On the first day of the centre being open, we had to lock our doors. It was absolute mayhem,SA国际影视传媒� Desjarlais told Yellowknifer, recalling fights and a individual whoSA国际影视传媒檇 passed out in her buildingSA国际影视传媒檚 foyer.

While Desjarlais said she understands the SA国际影视传媒渟eriousSA国际影视传媒� need for a Sobering/Day Shelter in the downtown core SA国际影视传媒� where homelessness is concentrated SA国际影视传媒� she still SA国际影视传媒渃an't wrap her head around,SA国际影视传媒� a sobering centre being SA国际影视传媒�30 feet from a liquor store.SA国际影视传媒�

Desjarlais said her staff retrieved five bottles that had been thrown onto her property on Friday alone.

SA国际影视传媒淚f theySA国际影视传媒檙e going to run that centre the same way they ran the old day shelter, it's not going to work,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Desjarlais said her staff and tenants SA国际影视传媒� feeling unsafe since last week SA国际影视传媒� will adopt new measures to face the SA国际影视传媒渞ealitiesSA国际影视传媒� next door. SheSA国际影视传媒檚 looking into installing a buzzer system and cameras, a new fence and may make changes to the buildingSA国际影视传媒檚 lighting. She said the adjustments stand to cost her SA国际影视传媒渢housands and thousands.SA国际影视传媒�

On Monday, Health Minister Glen Abernethy addressed concerns voiced by neighbours of the new centre.

SA国际影视传媒淲e want to make sure people in the neighbourhood are safe SA国际影视传媒� the clients, the staff. But also our neighbours,SA国际影视传媒� he told Yellowknifer.

Abernethy said a newly established phone line will field reports of troubling conduct.

But the number isn't being made public at this time. SA国际影视传媒淚t's intended for direct neighbors communication. We would be happy to share the number with anyone in the vicinity who wishes to provide feedback, however it is not intended for lodging all issues surrounding downtown homelessness/intoxication,SA国际影视传媒� wrote Lisa Giovanetto, a GNWT spokesperson, in an email.

SA国际影视传媒淭hings likely will happen. If you see them ... let us know so we can start addressing them early, to get over these stumbling blocks, these growing pains,SA国际影视传媒� said Abernethy. SA国际影视传媒淗opefully weSA国际影视传媒檒l be able to reach a comfort level where the neighbours can and do feel safe because thatSA国际影视传媒檚 important to us.SA国际影视传媒�

On Monday morning, a ceremony was held in the fenced-in gravel patio area outside the centre, which features a few picnic tables. And a security camera.

Abernethy and Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie Green SA国际影视传媒� flanked by Homelessness Minister Alfred Moses and Mayor Mark Heyck SA国际影视传媒� handled ribbon-cutting honours outside of the 50 Street location before welcoming guests inside.

SA国际影视传媒淭his has been an incredibly long journey,SA国际影视传媒� said Abernethy, addressing residents, community partners and members of Yellowknife outside of the newly-overhauled building.

The centre, which sits between the Finn Hansen Building and the Northern Lites Motel, combines the services of a day shelter and sobering centre under one roof. MondaySA国际影视传媒檚 launch followed the closing of the former day shelter, Safe Harbour, which had been operating on 49 Street since 2014. The citySA国际影视传媒檚 sobering centre had been operating out of the Salvation Army since October.

For many, MondaySA国际影视传媒檚 unveiling meant a first look at the renovated building, but the Sobering/Day Centre opened its doors to clients on Friday.

Louis Nutaradlaluk, a Yellowknifer who benefits from the centre, also praised the overall look and feel of the building SA国际影视传媒� but questioned its location.

SA国际影视传媒淭he liquor store is right there. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 easier access,SA国际影视传媒� said Nutaradlaluk. SA国际影视传媒淚 think itSA国际影视传媒檚 more problematic now,SA国际影视传媒� he added.

Nutaradlaluk isnSA国际影视传媒檛 alone in his reservations about the location of the facility, which can accommodate 27 people. Since the GNWT secured the site in September of last year SA国际影视传媒� after being turned down by almost two dozen landlords SA国际影视传媒� a chorus of calls from downtown business owners and stakeholders challenged the government for situating the building so close to a liquor store.

In a meeting with downtown residents earlier this month, Abernethy admitted the new spot isnSA国际影视传媒檛 perfect, but like both of the day shelterSA国际影视传媒檚 previous incarnations, he said itSA国际影视传媒檚 the best the GNWT could do. With more space, more staff and more programs promised at the new centre, Abernethy said heSA国际影视传媒檚 confident the space will facilitate a SA国际影视传媒減athway to healing,SA国际影视传媒� not just a place to warm and sober up.