5 days ago
Regina's executive committee recommends providing compensation to businesses near new shelter
The former location of the Eagles Club at 1600 Halifax Street is the new proposed location for the city's permanent emergency shelter. (Gareth Dillistone/CTV News)
Regina's Executive Committee is supporting a plan to provide financial compensation to businesses located near the city's new permanent emergency shelter - after hearing concerns about public safety.
'We advocated not only for our businesses, but for the safety and dignity of the shelter residents,' said Miranda Michell, manager of Fella & Fetch.
The shelter is located at the site of the former Eagles Club near the city's downtown. Nearby owners told city administration that putting additional safety measures at their sites would provide comfort for their workers and clients once the shelter is up and running.
'I think it's important for everyone to be safe, not just our business or people, our people, in the shelter, everyone should be safe,' said Bobby Krznar, owner of LK Auto Collision.
After hearing from delegations on Wednesday, the city brought forward a motion to grant a one-time payment of $200,000 to help cover the businesses costs for equipment like security cameras and other surveillance.
The city also plans to enhance supports for the shelter through groups, such as the Regina Street Team.
'Our job is to listen to the community, in this case the businesses around that area, and try to find a way to navigate that. To try and put everybody in the best place for success in this situation,' Mayor Chad Bachynski told reporters.
Businesses are also asking for an outdoor fence and patio area to be built at the shelter. In response, the city said it plans to reach out to the provincial government for additional funding to help cover the costs.
'We know that space is important and we want to get it built and it will get built,' Bachynski said. 'What we're saying is we're putting pressure to make sure that whatever's needed to support that space will happen, and we're going to put pressure on to make sure it happens.'
With executive approval on the recommendations for the shelter, the decision will be brought forward for city council approval on June 11th.
As of now, Bachynski said the shelter is still on track to open in July.
