Council approves 'parking patio' space for downtown Saskatoon shelter
City council has cleared the way for an outdoor space for clients of the Saskatoon Tribal Council's (STC) downtown shelter.
A report from administration said having such a space would "lessen the impact of loitering and nuisance activities."
The space would provide "immediate benefits to users of the facility," the report said.
The "parking patio" space will be similar to those allocated to some eateries in the city.
"I don't have concern about activities of the wellness centre being visible to residents in Saskatoon," Ward 2 Coun. Hilary Gough said, speaking in support of the plan.
"I think if we're going to be uncomfortable about that, we should feel uncomfortable about homelessness in our community."
While council was unanimous in its support for the plan, Ward 6 Coun. Cynthia Block — who represents downtown — said some residents are concerned.
"I believe strongly that providing outdoor space is you know a pivotal piece of the equation to make life better for everyone," Ward 6 Coun. Cynthia Block said.
"I think you would understand that I also have a whole pile of residents that are concerned about this and are wondering what this means for them and how they're going to navigate."
Block said residents are feeling increased pressure due to the ongoing "crisis" of homelessness in the community.
Mayor Charlie Clark called it an "evolving situation."
"I think over the last several years, we've talked about how the Lighthouse you know, also the place that people end up gathering is on the sidewalk because there's no other clear outdoor space," Clark said.
"I do believe it's a step that's worth trying and adapting and seeing how it goes and providing dignity to the people who are needing that space."
WILL BE LIKE OTHER PATIOS
STC Chief Mark Arcand said it feels good to have the backing of city council on the project, and the patio would look similar to Hudsons on 4th avenue downtown but with higher walls around it.
“We're trying to make it community-friendly, we're going to maybe look at some fake trees or maybe some umbrellas and that kind of stuff to actually enhance the downtown, maybe paint it up a little bit,” he said.
Arcand says the patio should stretch about 18 metres along the south side of the shelter’s main entrance to the end of the building and will stick out about six feet from the building.
“There will be a space for walking for people that are walking around it so you don't actually have to walk through people when they're walking by the Wellness Centre,” he said.
“It's a temporary solution for people that are complaining about our streets, our downtown, how it looks.”
He said STC is hoping to get started on the patio project this week, and it will be removed in September.
BETTER PLANNING NEEDED: CHAMBER CEO
Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce CEO Jason Aebig says adding a patio is the best option for a location that was never meant to host a shelter.
“We have to quit mashing shelter operations into facilities and locations that were that were never purpose built for that reason, for that type of operation,” he said.
“If we continue to do this, we're going to continue to run into these ongoing challenges and issues and frustrations that people face, not only those who use the shelter facilities but the stakeholders in and around them.”
Aebig says future shelters should be built in a more thoughtful way.
“We should be talking about any future shelter operation that has a requirement on-site outdoor space for shelter residents to be able to gather safely, a space that safeguards their dignity and helps to reduce the impact of shelter operations on area stakeholders.” he said.
“It's a frustration and it's a challenge for area businesses and others who may be impacted by shelter operations, but I think we owe STC the time to be able to really build out this model, see if this model can actually work, and give them the time also to explore a different location that will solve some of these challenges over a longer-term.”
The temporary STC shelter was opened in December, originally with a six-month timeline for operation.
Council granted an extension earlier this month as the STC works to relocate to a permanent location on 20th Street West.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.