The Saskatoon Tribal Council has put together a draft for a lease agreement to house a Temporary Emergency Wellness Centre and shelter at a City-owned property located at 145 1st Avenue North beside the Hilton Garden Inn.

Tribal Chief Mark Arcand says the next step is for the City’s planning and development committee to green light the project on Tuesday before heading to City Council on December 20th for the final stamp of approval. Arcand would like to like to see City Council hold a special meeting sooner so that the shelter can start housing people earlier, although he understands council’s timeline. Tribal Chief Arcand says he would like the facility to open by December 8th.

The plan is to sign a lease for a period of 5-6 months, depending on when the weather warms up. To start, the facility will provide shelter and services for 50 people. The building used to house offices for the Saskatoon Police Service and already has individual offices which would then be converted to rooms.

Arcand says the facility will also have a separate area for anyone who tests positive for COVID-19. “There are 50 rooms, so fifty smoke detectors, battery operated for the safety of our people.” The facility will help those at the shelter to work with social assistance programs and how to organize their banking and other personal needs. Arcand says transportation will also be made available so those staying at the shelter will be able to attend appointments. “So we can create some independence and some real opportunity for them to get help and be independent.”

The STC is also looking for any organizations to help with funding to help cover the costs of meals and wages for staff. An application was made to the federal government for a grant worth $1.4 million dollars to help cover the costs associated with the facility. Arcand says without the government dollars, the STC may only be able to run the facility for a period of two months rather than the entire winter.

The Wellness Shelter will have fridges, microwaves and a TV in a lounge area, just like all of the items you would find in a home. The STC is also looking for donations whether it be blankets or construction workers offering their skills to help build the facility inside once the green light is given. “We’ve had pharmacies step up and say we can do this for this place. There’s a lot of people that want to help.”

The plan is to also have security in place and the Saskatoon Police Service has a patrol plan in place once the facility is open.

The 9,200 square foot facility, once given the light from the City is expected to be in operation until the weather improves in the spring.