Three new shelter spaces opening in Kamloops, creating 115 beds for homeless

Photo: Castanet Staff

Three new shelter spaces, including one in the gymnasium of the former Stuart Wood school, will be opening thanks to a partnership between BC Housing and the City of Kamloops.

BC Housing and the City of Kamloops are working together to open three new shelters for the homeless in the Tournament Capital.

The provincial government announced Tuesday that 115 beds will be made available between three locations — the former Stuart Wood school building downtown, the former Greyhound bus depot in Sahali and at a city-owned lot along Rivers Trail on the North Shore.

The three shelters will be managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association, with support from Out of the Cold.

David Eby, minister responsible for housing, said in a statement the government is working to ensure vulnerable people in Kamloops have access to warm, safe places to spend the night.

“We know there is more to do, and I’m committed to working with the city and our non-profit partners to bring in more permanent supportive housing,” Eby said.

The province said shelter guests will have access to daily meals and referrals to health programming. Staff will also be available day and night.

According to the province, people currently staying at the shelter set up in Memorial Arena will be relocated to the former Greyhound bus depot, located at 725 Notre Dame Dr., after the building undergoes renovations to make it suitable.

The provincial government said there will be 50 beds made available at the former bus depot, named Merit Place. The shelter is expected to open early 2022.

After seeing 18 months of use as a shelter, Memorial Arena will be returned to the city for recreation once everyone has moved out, according to the province.

Mayor Ken Christian said in a statement that providing shelter and support is “the first step on a path to wellness” for vulnerable residents.

“Council has actively been pursuing better options than Memorial Arena and is excited to see this historic facility put back into recreational use, and to see those experiencing homelessness get a more appropriate temporary home,” Christian said.

Christian said the city will continue to work with BC Housing to increase housing supply for all Kamloops residents.

According to the province, a 25-bed shelter will be set up “as quickly as possible” in the gymnasium of the former Stuart Wood school, located at 245 St. Paul St.

This shelter location is expected to open in November or December 2021.

The province said the city has leased the downtown facility — which was also used as a cold weather centre in 2018 — to BC Housing until March 31.

Plans are still in the works for a cultural centre at Stuart Wood, which would be a collaboration between the city and Tk’emlups te Secwepemc — which has supported the city’s decision to use the facility as a temporary shelter, according to the province.

The third shelter, named Moira House, will be located on the North Shore, at 600 Kingston Ave.

According to the province, the site is currently vacant. Work to construct the 40-bed temporary shelter will begin soon, and the province estimates it will open in early 2022.

The province said it will be pitching in $1.8 million to pay for shelter construction at this site, and another $1.8 million for CMHA Kamloops to operate it.

According to the province, the city has leased the property to BC Housing for three years, with an option to extend the lease for another two years.

The province said with the addition of these shelters, Kamloops now has 190 beds available over the winter for people experiencing homelessness.

"In addition to these shelters, the City of Kamloops will conduct a land-use analysis and community consultation in the coming months," the province said in a statement.

"The results will help BC Housing and the City of Kamloops identify areas suitable for permanent shelter and supportive housing projects in the future."