The Saskatoon Tribal Council’s Wellness Centre can stay where it is in downtown Saskatoon until April of next year. City Council unanimously approved the extended lease during a special meeting yesterday (Wed). A city bylaw states temporary shelters can only operate for up to six months, so it needed to be amended for the emergency shelter at 145 First Avenue North to be able to continue operating at that site while the STC looks for a different location outside of the downtown.

In May, the province committed up to $3.5-million over the next year to allow the STC to continue its shelter. Along with a roof over the heads of vulnerable people, the Wellness Centre offers three meals a day, laundry services along with other supports including mental health and addictions counselling. The STC’s Wellness Centre began operating last December.