Saskatoon to add fence, safety measures to temporary shelter site

The City of Saskatoon is proposing changes a new, temporary, “enhanced” emergency shelter at 210 Pacific Avenue after a series of public meetings on the issue.

The city said in a news release on Friday that the proposals include a chain-link fence around the former Saskatchewan Transportation Company site and allowing access only from Ontario Avenue, No access would be off Pacific Avenue.

The city also said that 7-day, “extended hour security/support” would be dedicated to the downtown area, with a proactive priority focus on shelter site and surrounding area.

As well, Saskatoon Police Service and the Saskatoon Fire Department have developed an integrated operating plan to support The Mustard Seed while they operate the behavior-based shelter model, which means physical fighting, threat of assault or history of assaults/threats towards guests and staff will not be allowed.

Use of alcohol and drugs will be not permitted at the shelter and people using the facility will be assessed using the behavior-based model during intake and continually monitored during their stay.

There will also be be coordinated communications and information sharing among The Mustard Seed, police and the fire department to better address emerging concerns and to be pro-active before issues arise.

The former Saskatchewan Transportation Company building in Saskatoon is a proposed location for a new homeless shelter in downtown. (Shane Clausing/650 CKOM)

The safety plan says an ongoing “randomized presence” will assist the staff and community with any transitional concerns like social disorder, public safety, violence and weapons and identification of temporary, unsafe and inadequate structures in green spaces, parks and thoroughfares.

The City agreed to find and propose locations that will meet certain criteria and best suit the needs of the community. The Government of Saskatchewan continues to work with the City of Saskatoon as they work to identify a permanent location to accommodate 60 spaces.

Council will meet to approve the enhanced safety plan on Wednesday, and it is anticipated the shelter would open for winter 2024. The temporary shelter would be open for a maximum of 18 months.

Last fall, when the provincial government announced its $40.2-million homelessness plan, it included $14.1 million for 120 permanent emergency shelter spaces, with 60 of them slated for Saskatoon.

The first potential 30-bed shelter location that was identified — a former fire hall in the Sutherland neighbourhood — was not approved because of its proximity to a nearby elementary school.

The Saskatchewan Transportation Company building is owned by the city, which may lease it to the provincial government at a below-market rate.

The city previously said the site should meet most of the criteria set out by city council, but would need about $250,000 in renovations to include showers, bathrooms and a kitchen.

There would be room for 30 to 40 beds, some private rooms, space for staff, and meets council requirements to be at least 250 metres away from any elementary school.

According to the city, the search for a longer term solution for an emergency shelter will also continue.

Last week, Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand criticized The Mustard Seed’s ability to run the shelter and claimed they know nothing about First Nations peoples.

— with 650 CKOM files

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