Recovery Alberta permanently closes Edmonton's largest addiction treatment centre, removing 600 from wait list
Henwood Treatment Centre has stopped accepting patients following June flooding; staff and people seeking treatment left in the dark about permanent closure.
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Recovery Alberta has permanently closed the addiction treatment program at Henwood Treatment Centre, Edmonton's largest provincially-run voluntary addiction treatment facility, removing nearly 600 people from the active wait list and leaving staff and patients in uncertainty.
Staff were informed on August 20 that the closure was permanent, according to sources familiar with the situation. The facility, which had 62 residential treatment beds and was located adjacent to Alberta Hospital in the city's far northeast, temporarily suspended operations in late June due to flooding. Staff initially believed the facility would reopen after repairs were completed.
A Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction spokesperson said Henwood "closed for the foreseeable future following significant damage from overland flooding, with all clients transitioned to alternative addiction treatment and recovery services from local providers." The ministry said it continues investigating the extent of the damage and is working with Recovery Alberta to determine the facility's future.
The wait time to enter Henwood's four-week residential treatment program had been between one and four months depending on the client. At the time the facility stopped accepting new applications in late June, nearly 600 people were in the queue waiting for a spot.
Henwood employed addiction counsellors, mental health therapists, psychologists, recreational therapists, nurses and other health and support workers. The United Nurses of Alberta confirmed that at least 12 of their members have been affected by the closure and are subject to layoff and recall provisions in the union's collective agreement. The Health Sciences Association of Alberta said they have 20 members at Henwood but could not provide details. Some HSAA positions are being relocated to Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, though affected workers have not yet received full details about their new roles.
In July, HighOnCity reported that Alberta pledged $30 million and 400 treatment beds for addiction recovery in the Edmonton area. The province has not clarified how the Henwood closure affects that expansion plan or whether the 400-bed commitment remains unchanged.
What is the timeline for determining whether Henwood will reopen, and under what conditions?
Where have the 600 people on Henwood's wait list been referred, and are alternative services available immediately?
Does the permanent closure affect Alberta's July commitment to add 400 treatment beds in the Edmonton area?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When was the permanent closure of Henwood Treatment Centre announced to staff?
Staff at Henwood Treatment Centre were informed on August 20, 2026 that the closure was permanent.
How many people were waiting for treatment at Henwood when it stopped accepting applications?
Nearly 600 people were on the active wait list at Henwood Treatment Centre when the facility stopped accepting new applications in late June 2026.
How many residential treatment beds did Henwood have?
Henwood Treatment Centre had 62 residential treatment beds.
