REGINA — The City of Regina has finalized vicinity improvements surrounding the new permanent emergency shelter.
City council has been having a back-and-forth dialogue with stakeholders near the shelter since September after a new emergency shelter at 1600 Halifax St. was approved.
Stakeholders have voiced concerns over safety for customers, protecting their businesses, and ensuring the area is welcoming for all.
Last week, the executive committee decided to pass several options, including:
- Railway corridor fencing to reduce unauthorized access and improve safety.
- Road and alley lighting for increasing visibility and improved security.
- Peer-led street project pilot in partnership with the Heritage Community Association to provide outreach support and more.
- Debris clean up, increasing the level of service for debris pickup within the vicinity of the shelter.
- Direct administration to advance the construction of an outdoor patio with the Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services (RT/SIS) and the province to find funding.
- Introducing a pilot initiative focusing on overnight and weekend support, implementing organizations like the Regina Street Team (RST) to oversee this.
- Reallocate $200,000 for paving the alleyways to a one-time grant for stakeholders affected in 100 metres of the permanent emergency shelter for items like enhanced security.
Some of these options were met with concern.
While presenting to city council, YWCA Regina CEO Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen worried about a one-time grant setting a precedent.
“I’m concerned about the city’s ability to prevent other neighbourhoods from coming forward and asking for the same action as a grant,” she said, referring to the possibility of future shelters or encampment spaces popping up.
Shobna Radons (Ward 7) also echoed her concerns with setting a precedent.
“As a city, we need to be good stewards in not only our finances but also in ensuring that we’re respecting and caring for all our citizens.
“We should not be putting a price tag on taking care of our most vulnerable,” she added.
Jason Mancinelli (Ward 9) felt the one-time grant was warranted, citing how businesses are empty at night with valuables they own left on the premises.
“That’s why I think there is a necessity to invest.“
Council voted 8-3 on keeping the one-time grant, with Sarah Turnbull (Ward 5), Radons, and Shanon Zachidniak (Ward 8) voting against.
Outdoor space adjustment
The City of Regina will now only consider building an outdoor patio space at the shelter if funding is provided by the provincial government.
Natasha Kennedy, the executive director of RT/SIS, said an outdoor patio space would create challenges, including ensuring the safety inside the facility and the community's expectations placed on the group.
“The last thing I want to do is set us up for failure.”
Kennedy also said this space would increase staffing costs with added security.
She confirmed that the new emergency shelter will include an outdoor space, but it will only be accessible during scheduled programming.
With the cost concerns, Kennedy said, “If the additional resources are provided, then we would happily continue with this.”
City council voted 9-2 on the revision, with Zachidniak and Clark Bezo (Ward 10) voting against.
The rest of the options were unchanged and passed.
Council also passed an amendment to include monthly updates from the Good Neighbourhood steering committee.
One member of council will also be appointed as a liaison for the meetings.
City administration plans to report back on the success of the vicinity improvement a year after the shelter opens.
As for the Good Neighbourhood Plan (GNP), stakeholders met on Tuesday for the final community engagement session.
Wendy Miller, executive director of the Heritage Community Association (HCA), confirmed that the steering committee discussed the final version of the GNP more thoroughly on Wednesday.
The GNP “will ensure ongoing communication and co-ordination among partners and ensure a collaborative approach to addressing any issues that may arise in the neighbourhood,” per the report.
The GNP will encompass a 250-metre radius around the shelter.
The emergency shelter is scheduled to open on July 31, following the expiration of the lease agreement with the Nest. Afterward, the city intends to close the temporary shelter.
