New Shelter Addresses Critical Gap in Winter Services
As snowfall and brisk evening temperatures descended upon Saskatoon, the city has provided an update on its winter warming centres, marking the opening of a crucial new facility. A temporary women's warming centre at 50 23rd Street East—the former Saskatoon Transportation Company bus terminal—has been operational for almost a week, offering a vital refuge during the cold spell.
Lesley Anderson, the city’s director of planning and development, confirmed the opening. She noted that the city is still finalizing the operating logistics for the building while work progresses on a more permanent site. The need for this dedicated space was highlighted by the fact that, until recently, St. Mary’s Parish was the only drop-in centre operating in the cold weather, and it is exclusively open to men.
Progress on a Permanent Solution
During a Wednesday city council meeting, Mayor Cynthia Block requested an update on the facilities. Anderson provided details on the permanent location at 325 Avenue C South, where renovations are fully planned and demolition is already underway.
"The second location is 325 Avenue C South. The renovations are being fully planned at this point in time… demolition at the site is actually happening today," Anderson stated. She emphasized that the goal is for the Avenue C facility to be open in a matter of weeks, not months. Ongoing discussions are focused on how the facility will operate, with significant consideration given to safety and security protocols.
Community Concerns and Operational Costs
The establishment of both the 23rd Street and Avenue C facilities has not been without controversy. The Salvation Army has raised concerns about the close proximity of the Avenue C facility to its existing men's shelter.
Back in October, Major Gordon Taylor with the Salvation Army publicly stated that concentrating multiple homelessness services in one area is not a good idea. The city purchased the property, which was formerly the Ambarsari Kitchen Indian Cuisine restaurant, next to the Salvation Army shelter, in its search for suitable drop-in centre spaces.
City councillors have also expressed frustration with the last-minute decision-making that led to the renovation and opening of the former bus terminal while the Avenue C location undergoes its own upgrades. Necessary renovations for the temporary site included installing temporary washrooms, lighting, interior and exterior fencing, water services, and fire extinguishers.
A report to an early November city council meeting cited renovation costs for the bus terminal between $50,000 and $75,000. At that meeting, Coun. Bev Dubois took issue with the cost, noting that only $54,000 was allotted from the winter navigation and warming centre fund and expressing concern that overspending might not be reported until after the work was completed.
