Members of the public turned out to learn more about the Complex Needs Shelter that will soon be finished in the the city's downtown. (Image Credit: Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Complex Needs

Complex Needs Shelter renos start soon 

Feb 11, 2026 | 1:58 PM

The physical process of turning an old liquor store into a complex needs shelter will begin this month with the plan to starting taking clients this summer.  

Demolition on the inside of the building will begin in February and the province estimates about two months for the work to be done.  

“The hope is that they will be operational by summer 2026,” said Anna Dinsdale, Community Safety and Well-being Coordinator for the city. Her department oversees the community response to homelessness and connected issue of addictions and mental health struggles.  

The city will not operate the facility. It is a provincial program with a hired contractor to operate it.  

City council made having a public information session a condition of approving the zoning change needed for the shelter to operate, which happened in the foyer of city hall Tuesday evening. Around 20 people, including local police, community members and agencies like Mobile Crisis were on hand.  

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“I think this is a facility long past due, and I am hopeful that it helps eliminate or address some of the very serious problems that we have currently in PA,” said one member of the public who did not want their name shared.  

Localized concerns over where the complex needs shelter would be located don’t take into account the fact that the city is small and walkable from one end to the other.  

“Prince Albert is a small community and I don’t think it would matter where you placed it; it would have an impact on residents and there would be residents who are unhappy about it and worried,” they said.  

City organizers were glad to see the number of people who turned out to learn more. Other than a row of posters on easels with detailed information, no presentations were made.  

Attendees could have face to face conversations from the various government departments or agencies in the room.  

“I’m really pleased to see such a turnout of people that are interested in hearing more information about the Complex Needs facility,” Dinsdale said.

Prince Albert will be the third community in Saskatchewan to have a CNF, as they are referred to. They have been operating in Regina and Saskatoon for more than year.  

“There are lessons that they’ve learned about how to deliver that service in a way that makes sense and that doesn’t impact the neighbourhood negatively,” Dinsdale said.  

“I think we’re in a really great position here in Prince Albert because we’ll be able to open and hit the ground running.” 

The shelter will hold between 10 and 15 beds and be a secure facility. Only police can bring people there, they will be held for a maximum of 24 hours under the care of security and mental health workers and then be taken to another location for further assistance.

The client will have a say in which agency they are referred to.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com