City of Saskatoon approves new downtown shelter

After a lengthy meeting on Wednesday, the Saskatoon City Council approved the temporary enhanced emergency shelter at 210 Pacific Avenue.

The decision was supported by a majority of councilors, however, Randy Donauer, Bev Dubois, Troy Davies, and Darren Hill opposed the idea.

There were many strong opinions in council chambers for the discussion that took the better part of the day.

Numerous speakers took to the podium to have their concerns heard as well as an attempt by the city administration to ease some fears.

City manager Jeff Jorgenson informed those at the meeting of new changes to the plan for the shelter on Pacific Avenue with increased safety around the building. Those changes also included changing the entry to the shelter from the west side of Pacific Avenue to the east side of Ontario Avenue.

“Concerns included safety both inside and outside of the shelter building, learning and improving from past downtown experiences, such as the former lighthouse and downtown wellness center. Many feel that the downtown is just beginning to recover and do not want negative experiences to be repeated,” Jorgenson said. 

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Staff Sergeant with Saskatoon Police Service (SPS), Mike Horvath and assistant fire chief Yvonne Raymer gave assurances that more supports would be in place to help with issues outside of the shelter.

Horvath said more alternative response officers and increased patrols around the site. This is a new development in the plan that came as a result of the public meetings last week.

Jorgenson faced many questions on choosing this facility during the session and reiterated multiple times that other locations were considered, like the former Giant Tiger building on 22nd Street.

The cost to renovate would be too high according to the administrator and given it is right behind the new site for the city centre school on the old Princess Alexandra site, it was not considered.

“Where is there a building that could possibly work? Given the criteria, given the zoning, given the financial availability, where is there a building that would work?”

The owner of the dance studio across the street, Andrea Calow expressed that she was happy with the engagement she has had over the past few weeks with city administration and appreciates changes being attempted like moving the entry door.

That is not enough to quell her concerns for students who come and go from her building at all hours of the day.

Other speakers like the owner of a children’s mental health clinic next door Stephan Bourassa, said he doesn’t think any security measures would make this site suitable for a shelter. He’s a pediatric occupational therapist and says, his partners chose the Rumley building location because it was well

“There was no consultation with those in the area. The timeline from the announcement on Sept. 9 to today's vote demonstrates a clear lack of willingness to engage the affected community in a collaborative process,” Bourassa told those at the meeting.

Others maintain that the timeline also indicates the city is rushing with the decision and should look at a permanent shelter location not just one for 18 months as is the case with this one.

The shelter, anticipated to open this winter, will provide 30 to 40 beds and will be operated by The Mustard Seed, an Alberta-based non-profit service provider.

The temporary shelter, which will be housed in the former Saskatchewan Transportation Company parcel service building, is expected to remain in operation for up to 18 months.

As the temporary shelter prepares to open, the city says it continues to search for a more permanent solution. 

-With files from Hayatullah Amanat