Saskatoon shelter location to be announced ‘very soon,’ minister says

Saskatoon residents can expect to find out the location of the city’s new 30-bed emergency shelter “very, very soon,” according to Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky.

But he couldn’t say if that means days or weeks.

The first of two 30-bed shelters is expected to open in the city early in the spring, with the second shelter slated to open in the fall.

“In terms of location the city has chosen, the process falls in the city’s court as to how they’re going to engage with the public on that,” Makowsky added.

Gene Makowsky, Saskatchewan’s social services minister. (650 CKOM file photo)

The minister said the province is looking at whether the chosen building meets their standards, including having an open area for cots or beds, a kitchen, washrooms, safety features like sprinklers, an outdoor area, and whether or not the potential site would need extensive renovation.

“Once we approve that – which should be very, very soon – it will go to the city to complete their consultation process with their citizens,” Makowsky said.

“I certainly don’t want to speak on behalf of the city, but that should be happening fairly soon in terms of our due diligence on the building.”

James Gardiner, incoming CEO of The Mustard Seed – the Alberta-based organization that will be operating both new shelters – said earlier this week that his organization has teams of people ready to engage residents and businesses in the areas surrounding the new shelter, but he noted that the group will have to work with the City of Saskatoon and the provincial government on the details.

It’s not clear whether consultations with the community will take place before or after the final decision on the shelter location is made.

“I would defer to the city on that. That would be up to them,” Makowsky said.

He noted that the there are still a number of “checks and balances” to go through prior to the shelter opening.

“(We’re) working diligently behind the scenes to get this going as soon as we can,” Makowsky said.