Following on the heels of last week's go-ahead for a proposed homeless shelter, North Battleford city council has now approved plans for a temporary shelter.
The Battlefords Indian Métis Friendship Centre received approval at Monday's special meeting of North Battleford council to operate an emergency homeless shelter. Approval passed unanimously.
The Friendship Centre operated a homeless shelter on a temporary basis last winter, and with no other homeless shelters ready to start operating they have stepped forward to take on the responsibility again. Last week the Reclaim Outreach Centre was approved for a homeless shelter, but is still in the process of getting its facilities in compliance with fire, health and safety codes before it can open its doors.
Jackie Kennedy, executive director of the Friendship Centre, noted in a letter dated Nov. 17, "due to the weather we can no longer see community members sleep in these below freezing conditions."
The resolution extends the original approval the Friendship Centre received last year. The resolution wording states that "the original approval given to the Battlefords Indian Métis Friendship Centre, Resolution No. 9 of Special Council meeting held Dec. 6, 2010, to develop and operate an emergency homeless shelter at 960 -103rd St. be extended, conditional that operations would discontinue either by May 15, 2012, or at such time when the Reclaim Outreach Centre located at 962 -102nd St. is in operation, whichever comes first."
Mayor Ian Hamilton noted during the meeting that there was communication going on between the Reclaim Outreach Centre and the Friendship Centre with respect to their activities.
Fire Chief Pat MacIsaac said an inspection of the Friendship Centre facility had been done in the past couple of weeks and he confirmed the facility was up to code with building and safety regulations for a temporary facility.
Councillor Trent Houk said he "applauded" the Friendship Centre for "doing their part to keep people off the street" during the cold weather months.
Councillor Grace Lang also supported the application, noting the oepration went smoothly last winter when the shelter was in operation.
"I don't think we had any complaints about it," said Lang, who added she had no problems with supporting the application again.
