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Saskatoon city councillors will have a tough decision on their hands during their last official meeting before November’s civic election.
On Wednesday, council will decide whether to approve an 18-month development permit for an emergency homeless shelter located downtown at 210 Pacific Avenue, or choose to keep looking for another location.
Administration is recommending council vote in favour of authorizing the permit, and a lease agreement with the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation that would begin October 1 and continue until September 30, 2026.
The facility would be run by The Mustard Seed, an Alberta-based organization.
There has been no shortage of opposition to the proposed facility since it was announced, with at least 25 letters submitted to the city ahead of the meeting from local residents and businesses, along with vehement opposition from the Saskatoon Tribal Council, which operates a 106-bed shelter in Fairhaven.
Late Friday, based on feedback during two community sessions, the city issued a revised plan for the facility. The new plan included erecting a chain-link fence around the site with access only allowed via Ontario Avenue, rather than Pacific Avenue.
Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand said that would make the facility look like a jail.
“I think, at the end of the day, we don’t need that facility to look like a jail facility to keep people in and out,” Arcand said. “The best way to do this is to have hope for people and make trust.”
He also took issue with the suggestion of additional security at the proposed facility.
“I hope we’re afforded the same security – us and Salvation Army – to get those extra security options as well,” Arcand added.
Letters submitted to city council from those affiliated with Rise Dance Company, which is located directly across the street from the proposed shelter, expressed concern for students, many of whom are female, coming and going until late in the evening.
“Many of these dancers are driving themselves and not car-pooling with friends. We are very concerned for their safety as well as the safety of our teachers,” wrote Randi-Lee Loshack.
Others who live in the area also expressed safety and security concerns.
“As a resident of downtown, please reconsider this location for this shelter,” wrote Phil Meister. “No one who lives downtown can forget the problems the former shelter caused on 1st Avenue a few years ago.”
Eleven speakers are expected to address city council at the meeting, which begins at 9:30 a.m.
If approved, the shelter is expected to undergo about $250,000 in renovations, paid for by the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, before opening late this year.
–with files from 650 CKOM’s Shane Clausing