Saskatoon Tribal Council prepares to open new downtown wellness shelter

Just days after Saskatoon City Council approved a new wellness shelter in a special meeting, Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) is gearing up to open the doors.

Chief Mark Arcand is aiming to have the doors open on Monday.

He explains it’s not your typical shelter “We are doing something different than Sally Anne and the Lighthouse,” he said. “We’re going to provide three meals a day, bring them in, we’re not going to kick anyone out (during the day).”

650 CKOM confirmed the Lighthouse prepares three meals a day and offers an all-day stay to people using its services as well.

Similar services are also offered by the Salvation Army.

The facility is moving into a nearly 10,000 square foot building on First Ave. N in the downtown core.

The City of Saskatoon is set to provide around $130,000 of in-kind services including waving rent and completing some necessary upgrades.

Some people voiced concerns with the location and what they felt was a lack of consultation during last Thursday’s council meeting.

During an appearance on the John Gormley Show, Arcand addressed them.

“I’m not here to make money off of homeless people. We’re trying to do this as a community, so as a community how do we all step up,” he said.

STC is contributing to the project financially too, Arcand has said it will spend up to $150,000 dollars.

Currently the shelter is considered temporary although Arcand says they are working to secure more funding.