Future of Red Deer’s temporary shelter goes to public hearing

A public hearing will take place later this month as The City of Red Deer decides whether to keep the city’s temporary shelter open until a permanent shelter can be built.

City council gave first reading on Monday to a bylaw that would allow the shelter, located in the former Cannery Row building at 52-39-53 Ave. and operated by Safe Harbour Society, to continue operating as it has been throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

City administration presented council with three reasons for allowing the temporary shelter to continue operating for another two to three years until a permanent shelter is built with $7 million in provincial funding announced last year:

– The large site at the former Cannery Row building allows for adequate physical distancing as per public health guidelines