Saskatoon city councilor, community members concerned about proposed emergency shelter in Sutherland
CBC
A proposed emergency shelter in Saskatoon's Sutherland neighbourhood is drawing concern from some community members and the city councillor who represents them.
The City of Saskatoon said it is working collaboratively with the Saskatchewan government on the final details to prepare for a new 30-space permanent emergency shelter to be located at the former Fire Station No. 5 on Central Avenue.
Two neighbourhood information sessions were planned for this week, but both were postponed by the city.
Ward 1 Coun. Darren Hill is opposed to having the emergency shelter located in Sutherland — an area he represents.
In response to the postponements, he held a public meeting at a school gymnasium in Sutherland on Sunday to discuss the possibility of the proposed emergency shelter being set up in the neighbourhood.
The meeting drew more than 300 people, the city councillor said.
"There were a number of people that spoke passionately about the needs for the shelter beds, and I don't think anybody is disputing that," Hill said in an interview with CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning.
"But every single individual that spoke had concerns about the safety and the impact that it's going to have on their residential neighbourhood, as well as the elementary school that's only a half a block away."
Hill said those concerns included a rise in crime, more needles in the park and the impact on school operations.
Hill said there are a number of areas where the emergency shelter could go in the city, but it shouldn't be near residential homes, playgrounds or schools.
The facility for people with complex needs — which will be run by the Mustard Seed, an Alberta-based Christian non-profit organization — is supposed to be operational by this spring.
City officials said they delayed the two neighbourhood information sessions planned for this week because they needed more time to come up with the right plan for the shelter before presenting it to the public. They added the meetings will be rescheduled within the month.
"All partners know that the way the shelter will operate is one of the most important questions on the minds of residents and business owners and recognize the need to get the right plan in place before the shelter becomes operational," the city stated in a Friday news release.
The release also said report presentations that were planned for the Feb. 28 city council meeting will also be delayed.
WARNING: This story contains profanity and details of racist language.
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