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Rumour riles Bridgeview

Claims that a Surrey church is going to contain a 145-bed recovery centre are false.
34940surrey.tiff
Area where a church is looking to relocate.

Fear and anger over a large recovery home planned for North Surrey are unfounded.

Scores of people in Bridgeview were preparing to go to battle against the city and Calvary Worship Centre over a proposed 145-bed alcohol and drug recovery facility as purported in a letter circulating in the community.

However, it's entirely fiction, according to both the City of Surey and staff at the Calvary Worship Centre.

Surrey General Manager of Planning and Development Jean LaMontagne said Wednesday there have been rumours the worship centre was looking to move locations, but no mention of a recovery facility.

Brother Henry Agbozo, with the Calvary Worship Centre, said claims made in the letter are false.

"I don't know where that came from, that is an outright lie," Agbozo said Wednesday. "We have never operated a recovery (facility). I have no idea where they got the idea from."

The worship centre wants to move and is eyeing a three-acre parcel of land near 128 Street and Bridgeview Drive.

"We are looking for land to purchase and one of the options was in Bridgeview," Agbozo said.

The congregation is growing and Agbozo wants to move the church from its current rental property in Bridgeview to its own facility, which would accommodate 750 people.

He was stunned when he saw the document circulating in the community.

"I was so shocked when I read the letter… where on Earth did  they get this from?" Agbozo asked. "Unless someone is being mischievous?"

Bridgeview resident Hilda Horton became riled when she read about plans for a huge recovery facility, but was puzzled when she found out it's untrue.

She wants to know who is circulating the errant letter.

Horton said it's unfortunate, as several people in the community are quite upset about it.