Potential purchase of Eagles Club for Regina permanent shelter receives hostile reception
CBC
City councillors received an earful of criticism over the proposed site for a permanent emergency shelter in downtown Regina.
Business owners in the area were adamant that the proposed location would negatively affect them.
"Placing individuals with serious addiction and mental health issues in an industrial zone without direct access to these services not only undermines the city's own plan, but also sets these individuals up for continued struggles," said Miranda Michell, the owner of Fella & Fetch.
Michell was among the 11 delegates who spoke at the meeting of the city's executive committee on Wednesday.
City administration has recommended the City of Regina purchase the current site of the Eagles Club — located at 1600 Halifax St. and just a block away from Regina Police Services headquarters — for $2.6 million. The city would then spend approximately $3 million to convert the property into a shelter.
The federal government has provided $3 million for the project, while another $3 million will come from the provincial government in the form of a loan that is forgivable after 10 years. That would mean no additional contributions from the City of Regina.
City manager Niki Anderson stressed that administration had attempted to find a property that met the concerns raised by a majority of councillors
