Tuesday's city council meeting begins at 5 p.m. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Council preview

Plans for new homeless shelter top council agenda

Oct 13, 2020 | 8:28 AM

The development permit for a new temporary homeless shelter is on the agenda at tonight’s city council meeting.

The proposed 20-bed, cold weather shelter would be located under the grandstand at the P.A. Exhibition Grounds and would operate from Oct. 15 to April 15, according to council documents.

The facility would be run by the YWCA, but other organizations including River Bank Development Corporation, the City of Prince Albert, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and several local non-profits have been involved in developing the project.

Pandemic response

In a letter to city council, representatives from the YWCA and River Bank say they are concerned the existing 10-bed Cold Weather Shelter operated by the YWCA may not be sufficient this winter in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Distancing requirements will limit the number of spaces available at the facility. Demand could also increase if a second wave results in lockdowns in surrounding communities. Additionally, many people experiencing homelessness rely on others for temporary shelter during the winter, but couch-surfing could be more difficult during the pandemic.

“An unsupported homeless population inevitably leads to greater demands on health care and police services and these will be under extreme stress if there is a second wave,” organizers write. “We must think back to the year prior to the establishment of the cold weather shelter when four homeless people froze to death. We do not want to go there again.”

Most of the funding for the shelter, which will have two staff on duty at all times, will come from the federal government.

Council documents indicate the P.A. Exhibition Association has approved the use of the grandstand for the shelter. The fire department and the city building division have inspected the site and only minor renovations are needed to comply with health and safety regulations.

Other agenda items

Also on the agenda is an update on the City’s new bylaw department and a motion to suspend water shut-offs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Councillors are also set to give final approval to an agreement that will allow the Rock N Road Cycling Club to set up a mountain bike skills course in Little Red River Park.

Tuesday night’s gathering is the final council meeting before the Nov. 9 municipal election.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom