Work goes on to finish renovations at the location of a new homeless shelter in North Battleford so it can finally open its doors to clients.
Despite earlier hopes to have had it open by the end of November, operations manager Frank Rozsa at the Lighthouse Supported Living in Saskatoon, operators of the shelter at 962 -102nd St., says they are still weeks away from being able to open to clients.
They are now shooting for a target of being open before Christmas, but “it all depends on the trades,” said Rozsa.
Ongoing renovations that have proved challenging at times have pushed back the target date. The renovations are happening at the Reclaim Outreach Centre location.
Rozsa said work continues on the “plumbing right now, the sprinkler systems and the fire alarm system.” After that is done, they can “put the flooring down and finish the final touches,” he said.
Crews have been noticed on 102nd Street. Nov. 27, the street was closed off as crews were installing pipes to feed the sprinkler system in the new facility.
Weather conditions have been the big issue with some bone-chilling temperatures delaying some of the work with the water lines outside, Rozsa acknowledged.
That work is done now, however, so they are in the final stages of getting the sprinkler system ready to go inside. That should take another 10 or 12 days, he said in speaking to the News-OptimistThursday.
Rozsa acknowledged finding local trades was an initial challenge, but said they have “really stepped up to the plate” as of late and credited them with keeping the project moving forward.
He expressed confidence the facility will be open in January for sure. A formal announcement and grand opening is to happen that month, he said.
Councillors had received an update on the progress of the new shelter during budget deliberations Nov. 26.
City Planning Director Tim LaFreniere noted Nov. 30 had been the date set for the opening, but acknowledged the renovations are ongoing at the shelter and talked about the issues involved with getting it completed.
