The Park Condos: Unpacking Safety Concerns Near the Sheldon Chumir Site

The Gist

So, you’re eyeing a fantastic unit at The Park Two condos, nestled right in our vibrant Beltline community at 303 13th Avenue SW. It’s a sleek, 18-story concrete tower, completed in 2015, boasting 156 units and 37 unique floor plans. Sounds like a dream, right? But like any savvy Calgarian, you’re doing your homework, especially given its proximity to the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre and its supervised consumption site (SCS). You’ve mentioned feeling uneasy in areas like Toronto’s Moss Park or Vancouver’s East Hastings, and your concern about encountering \"characters\" during evening or early morning walks, particularly without a car, is a valid one that resonates with many residents exploring urban living.

Impact on Calgarians

Here’s where local policy directly impacts your doorstep. Premier Danielle Smith's provincial government has made a firm commitment to shut down the supervised consumption site at the Sheldon Chumir Health Centre in 2026. This isn't just talk; it's part of a broader shift towards a \"treatment services on demand\" model, aiming for a recovery-oriented approach to addiction services. This move comes after significant local pressure, with Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean stating the site \"has been a magnet for concerns about crime and safety in downtown Calgary since it opened in 2019.\" He even pushed a motion through city council asking the province to close the site. For you, this means a significant change to the immediate neighbourhood environment is on the horizon, potentially addressing some of your safety concerns in the coming years.

The Reality Check

Your concerns about neighborhood safety are unfortunately backed by previous data. A May 2019 report from the Calgary Police Service painted a stark picture, indicating that crime around the Sheldon Chumir Centre more than doubled in just three years. The overall crime rate and calls for service around the supervised consumption site surged by over 50 percent. Furthermore, the report noted a 35 percent increase in disorder events and a rise in public-generated drug calls from 5 to 15 during the first three months of 2019. These statistics speak directly to the kind of street-level issues that can affect a resident's daily comfort and sense of security, especially for someone who relies on walking and will be out at various hours.

The Flip Side

While the focus is often on the challenges, it's worth remembering the original intent behind the Sheldon Chumir's supervised consumption site. It provided crucial services like medical interventions for opioid and stimulant overdoses, sterile injection supplies, and connections to vital recovery-oriented services. For many, it was a harm reduction measure designed to save lives and offer a pathway to treatment. However, the provincial government's decision to close the site reflects a strategic pivot, prioritizing a direct transition to "treatment services on demand" with the aim of fostering a safer, more recovery-focused environment for both individuals struggling with addiction and the surrounding community.

The Bottom Line

So, what does this mean for your potential move to The Park condos? You're looking at a modern, well-located building in a vibrant urban setting. Your specific concerns about encountering individuals experiencing homelessness or addiction, and the general safety of walking in the area, are valid and have been acknowledged by the city and province. The good news for future residents is the confirmed plan to close the supervised consumption site at the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre in 2026, which is expected to mitigate some of the issues that previously contributed to safety concerns. When considering a unit, make sure to thoroughly investigate the building's specific security measures. Ask about lobby access controls, concierge services, and any protocols in place to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering. While no urban environment is entirely free of challenges, understanding the planned changes and the building's own security features will be key to your comfort and peace of mind as a car-free resident walking our beautiful Beltline.