The third public meeting to get feedback on a location for a permanent homeless shelter has been moved back to the Ches Leach Lounge in the Art Hauser Centre. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Meeting location changed

City changes third shelter meeting location due to high attendance

Jan 21, 2025 | 12:34 PM

High attendance at the first two of the four planned public meetings on a permanent emergency shelter location have led to the moving of the third meeting back to the Ches Leach Lounge.

The meeting this evening (January 21) was to be at the Alfred Jenkins Field House, but that room could only accommodate about 40 people.

About 100 people turned out to the meeting yesterday and almost 200 were at the first one.

“That means we’ve got an engaged community and I think this kind of supports the kind of the decision that we made and the story that we’re trying to tell that this is a community decision and it’s really important that we get that input from community members so I’m really pleased to see the turnout,” said Craig Guidinger, director of community development.

The times remain unchanged and will go from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

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Once the city has concluded the meetings, they will use the information gathered from residents to choose a location for the permanent shelter.

The fourth and final meeting will be at the Prince Albert Grand Council’s Urban Services building next to Gateway Mall.

The first meeting included a lot of presentations by city staff, the police, fire department and the YWCA, which will operate the shelter.

For the second meeting, the format was changed a bit to have more discussions at round tables rather than spending more of the time hearing from the stakeholders.

The goal of the shelter is to operate 24 hours per day and provide a safe space to meet basic needs such as food, a warm place to be and take care of their hygiene.

READ MORE: The first meeting drew between 150 and 200 people.

READ MORE: Over 100 people attended the second meeting yesterday.

At the same time, mental health and addictions support and life-skills programming will be available to those who need them and want them.

The city said it will also be preparing an online survey for people who can’t attend an in-person meeting. That will soon be on their website and they will distribute it as best as they can.

Guidinger said the survey will be available by the fourth meeting and they will have closing remarks but their format will remain the same.

They also hope that people attending the meetings take time to fill out the comment cards that are left at the tables.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmnceil.bsky.social