Concerns remain as executive committee endorses new shelter location

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Despite public apprehension, Regina’s executive committee is recommending that city council ratify a new proposal for a permanent homeless shelter at the site of the Regina Eagles Club.

Executive committee voted 5-2 in favour of the Heritage neighbourhood property on Wednesday, with a final decision scheduled for the next council meeting on Sept. 25.

Prior to Wednesday’s vote, the city was confronted once again with a chicken-or-egg question from delegates: How can a location be selected without public consultation?

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“I can think of no neighbourhood that will be universally welcoming of a shelter in the area,” responded city manager Niki Anderson, “and I can think of no location that everyone will agree is the right location.”

Administration recently identified the Eagles Club (1600 Halifax Street) as a viable second option for the city to purchase and convert into a permanent emergency shelter. Bill Gray from the Eagles Club’s executive said the organization will be moving later this year because its lease has been “terminated” as of the end of November.

City council rejected a pair of properties on the 1400 block of Albert Street in June due to location stresses, but councillors revived the possible sites later in August, pending a decision on the new option.

The Eagles Club site has been challenged by a coalition of local business owners who appeared as delegates at Wednesday’s executive committee meeting. They’re concerned that having a low-barrier shelter as a neighbour could impact safety, as well as their property values.

Nearly all of them critiqued the city for not soliciting public opinion before bringing the site to council for approval, and several asked to pause any decision in order to first conduct an impact study.

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“There’s been absolutely zero engagement with the community, and so to ask us if we support it or not support it, we have no information,” said Robert Klippenstein of SJB Holdings.

The concerns raised Wednesday echoed those heard three months ago in response to the previous sites on Albert Street.

However, Anderson said the Halifax Street property checks all the boxes raised as issues by city council during the last review. It has adequate space and amenities, proximity to wrap-around services nearby (but not residential homes), it “is not on a major thoroughfare, (and) is already zoned appropriately,” she listed.

As for public objections regarding the proposed site: “We will have close to a year to talk through their concerns and attempt to mitigate them,” Anderson said.

A permanent shelter will replace the 55-bed facility currently operating at the Nest, known as New Beginnings. The city’s lease for that space expires in July 2025, and administration is “trying to find a like-for-like space,” Anderson reminded council.

Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services (RT/SIS) has given its stamp of approval as the current operator at New Beginnings — and as the potential contractor that would also run the permanent shelter.

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However, Wendy Miller of the Heritage Community Association said there is “fear” amongst some community-based organizations (CBOs) that this is “not the right location” from a client perspective.

“Being a block from (Regina Police Service headquarters) is not considered safe for many,” she said, adding that the Regina Street Team is the usual go-to support group for people in need, but those resources are already stretched thin.

That sentiment was confirmed Wednesday by executive director Judith Veresuk of the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District, which oversees the street team. She said the program will need more funding to expand and meet demand.

For clients using the shelter, crossing Saskatchewan Drive on foot to access downtown will also be a barrier, Miller added.

“There is no perfect space, but we don’t want to see a structure built and left in a corner with no ongoing attention,” she said. “Is it going to be ‘out of sight, out of mind?’ That is our worry.”

City staff said specifics on operating plans, program offerings and building aesthetics will be explored publicly before the shelter opens, but the first step is locking down the location.

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“We’re already concerned about meeting a July timeline,” Anderson said as Coun. Lori Bresciani (Ward 4) queried the room about tabling this decision to Oct. 9 in order to organize a public engagement session — a motion that ultimately failed.

The city has been searching for a shelter site since 2021, having reviewed more than 90 existing properties across Regina in addition to considering the option of a fresh build.

The Halifax Street site comes with a price tag of $6 million, which unlike the Albert Street option would be covered entirely by provincial and federal funding contributions already negotiated.

Administration says the option on the building expires Oct. 15, necessitating a decision from city council at next week’s meeting.

Staff members have been directed to hold public sessions in the next week about the site. They’ll also look to engage with local businesses on developing a compensation fund to mitigate losses caused by security costs, damage, or increased insurance premiums, as requested by one of the day’s delegates.

Wednesday’s executive committee meeting saw Bresciani and Coun. Terina Nelson (Ward 7) vote against the Eagles Club site. Couns. Bob Hawkins (Ward 2), Dan LeBlanc (Ward 6) and Shanon Zachidniak (Ward 7) were absent.

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“I cannot put the cost of these businesses at risk for 55 people,” said Nelson. “I don’t know where the shelter should go … but I just can’t support this.”

lkurz@postmedia.com

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