The Saskatoon Tribal Council’s temporary homeless and wellness centre on First Avenue North in downtown is running over capacity.

Chief Mark Arcand says the facility, which opened its doors Wednesday evening is housing 54 to 55 people at times.

The building which is set up to house 50 people experienced its first overdose Thursday morning. Chief Mark Arcand says the individual was given Narcan and was taken to hospital by ambulance before returning to the shelter a few hours later.

When asked about the business community expressing concerns about the shelter being downtown, Arcand said any business owner concerned can give him a phone call.

“I want to call them out because I look at this and I say, we (STC) had a plan. We went to four different areas of the city and I’ll say it again publicly and they need to hear this because they need to step up and be a part of the solution cause I only look at one thing. You’re either talking about your business and you’re only worried about your business or you’re not worried about the community. I’m worried about both.”

Chief Arcand says the facility located at 145 First Avenue North won’t turn people away and if people have to wait in the lobby or if chairs have to be arranged in the main foyer while people wait for an available bed, the STC will arrange that.

No children have walked through the doors as of Friday afternoon. A couple and those with dogs have accessed the site since the opening at 8 o’clock Wednesday night.

The STC will make more announcements next week when it comes to donations. Arcand adds people have stopped by to drop off socks and other clothes and the STC wants to develop a more coordinated system so donations can be dropped off in a more efficient manner when the facility is more settled in.

Financially, the Tribal Council is still looking for supports. “I still want to make the community happy with outdoor security, but we do need funding in place for that because I have a choice and the choice is either pay for security or buy food for people, but we’re going to buy food.”

The STC when looking for a building says they looked all over Saskatoon, however the City of Saskatoon was able to provide the STC with the First Avenue location.

The lease runs until the end of April.

(A photo of the storage room where those residing at the shelter have to put their personal belongings into a bin.)