Safety amendments proposed for Saskatoon's downtown shelter plan after community feedback

The City ofSaskatoon is making some changes to the safety plan for aproposed downtown shelter, after hearing from residents and businesses.

The city now plans for the provincially funded shelter, to be located at 210 Pacific Ave., tohave various new safety enhancements because of community consultation,a Friday night news release from the City of Saskatoon said.

The proposal is for what the city is calling an "enhanced emergency shelter" that could open this winter and offer up to 40 beds. Enhanced shelters offer24-hour access and three meals a day to clients, along withsupport for addictions, mental health, and wellness, and services to help them transition to long-term housing.

The new emergency shelter is to be run by the Mustard Seed, a faith-based organization that runs similar facilities in other cities.

Theshelter was initiallyproposedin the Sutherland neighbourhood, a plan that drewconcern from some community members and the city councillor who represents them. That proposal was scrapped when city council decided in February thatsitesfor future emergency shelters must be at least 250 metres away from any elementary schools.

The city later identified 210 Pacific, a former Saskatchewan Transportation Company building that is city-owned, as the proposed site. It held neighbourhood information sessions on the proposal earlier this week.

The city said following its consultations, details of the plan were finalized Friday.Added features will include:

• A chain-link fence around thebuilding, ensuring no access off Pacific Avenue.
• Access to the facility from Ontario Avenue only.
• Seven-day per weekextended-hour security and support dedicated to the downtown, with afocus on the vicinity around the proposed shelter.

The city said the Mustard Seed, police, and the fire department will shareinformation to address any concerns around the shelter.

City council will vote on whether to approve the proposed locationat its Sept. 25 city council meeting.