Downtown executive director reignites safety concerns surrounding Lighthouse

A violent incident outside the Lighthouse this week has brought new life to the conversation about the assisted living centre and its impacts on the downtown core.

On Tuesday, a 25-year-old man was arrested after police were called to a stabbing outside the building. The victim suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

Downtown Saskatoon, formerly known as the Downtown Improvement District, executive director Brent Penner said he is constantly approached about the Lighthouse’s effects on downtown and the safety concerns that go along with it.

“That’s generally the first thing somebody asks me like I have a magic formula to fix all things,” Penner said on Gormely Thursday.

In March, the business improvement district drafted a news release calling on the province to address some of the growing safety and security concerns circulating at the site of the former Capri Motor Hotel.

Prior to that, there was a meeting held to discuss and form a possible plan moving forward with 70 different community members, business leaders, tribal council representatives and police.

“There’s been lots of talk, and I think there’s a recognition that something needs to change, but the continued talk doesn’t lead to any change,” Penner said. “When I hear from business owners, property owners or people that come to the district, it really doesn’t do any good for their concerns to stop at my desk.”

The Lighthouse was originally donated to a non-profit group in 1997. Its original goals were to become a hostel and housing for low-income earners. Since then, its services and programs have expanded greatly. There are now housing units, overnight shelters, a kitchen and many other social supports.

On Wednesday, Penner penned another set of letters to Saskatoon mayor Charlie Clark and Social Services Minister Paul Merriman hoping to urge short term and long term action.

“I’m told there are some talks going on right now between the city and province,” Penner said. “I don’t know where those sit.”

Penner emphasized the Saskatoon Tribal Council’s involvement in forming a plan moving forward.

An immediate incoming hurdle on any changes to the Lighthouse is a municipal and provincial election at the end of October and early November.

“We’re trying to push this as much as we can right now,” Penner said. “We’re very cognizant of the elections and very cognizant that in a matter of a few short weeks many of the people I’m currently writing letters to will be in election mode.”

“We’re really hoping that we see something in the short term with a plan and a longer view to look at the situation.”

Penner also emphasized organizations from a variety of backgrounds that agree with the current situation at the assisted living centre is far from ideal.

“If people from the government — the ministry of social services, justice, health — and the city can look me in the eye and say this is the best way to deliver these services, that probably would be enough to make me think: ‘Ok, this is the best it’s going to be,’ but none of them are able to do that and I think they all share the same general sentiment,” Penner said.

Penner said he is growing tired of meetings. He estimated that roughly half of his time is spent on dealing with concerns about safety and security — often surrounding the Lighthouse, a big change from when he first took on the job seven years ago.

“That’s certainly changed when I started this position and I think that’s cause for concern on a lot of levels,” Penner said.