Warming centre to remain open during summer for first time

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The approval gives The City of Red Deer further time to lobby the province for a permanent 24/7 shelter.

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“I don’t think there’s anyone on council, our staff, a service provider, or anyone in the business community that supports the idea of temporary measures. Our community desperately needs a permanent solution,” said Mayor Tara Veer.

“We’ve been advocating to the province for many, many years, but for the first time in those many years, we do have the attention of the province because of the critical situation in Red Deer. If we do not approve this, the day time warming and overnight overflow will close.”

This year, council allowed the warming centre to open a month earlier than usual on Oct. 1 due to cold weather. It has been open from November through April since 2015.

Councillor Vesna Higham was one of several councillors hesitant to approve the development permit given comments from certain landowners, but felt the ethical imperative outweighed the negative.

“I’m so frustrated to say again, and again, and again we not have a permanent 24-7, 365 day a year shelter,” she lamented. “One of the pieces of the solution is to provide a place where street-involved people can go so that they aren’t on the streets and there is all this needle debris and garbage.”

Many area landowners and other stakeholders wrote in to council ahead of Monday’s meeting to share their strong opposition to the warming shelter being open during summer.

Aaron Huntley wrote that the area is “flooded with degenerates” and that many spots are covered in garbage and drug paraphernalia. He added cars are broken into constantly and blames the people Safe Harbour attracts for a section of wall recently being lit on fire next to his building.

Sheena Dykstra expressed her fear and discomfort around walking to her vehicle alone.

“In the mornings, one of the men in our office (has) actually felt the need to wait outside for us to ensure we made it into the office safely,” she wrote.

Gayle Leasak told council there needs to be property tax concessions, security cameras, better lighting and sidewalks if The City wants to avoid the area around Safe Harbour becoming a “complete skid row.”

“I totally understood what everyone said and the concerns they had, (they’re) certainly the same concerns we have,” admitted Hoffman.

“I don’t want all that stuff outside Safe Harbour, either. So I can totally appreciate it and I’m confident that if we’re successful in having 24-7 security that’s going to help things considerably.”

Hoffman adds they also want to have a Licensed Practical Nurse on staff to administer emergency medical treatment when necessary, and to add more porta-potties on-site.

Council voted 7-1 to approve the development permit. Buck Buchanan voted against it while Ken Johnston was absent for that portion of Monday’s meeting.