The proposed warming centre at William Milne Place likely faces no further hurdles to opening after city hall and the Moose Jaw Non-Profit Housing Corporation (MJNPHC) dealt with two outstanding issues.
City administration and the corporation — also known as Moose Jaw Housing — met recently to negotiate and finalize the mutual termination of lease agreement and the right of first refusal agreement concerning the building, a city council report explained.
Furthermore, the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) confirmed that the municipality is absolved from all terms and conditions of the operating agreements that both parties signed on March 6, 1989, and that the city later gave to the MJNPHC on Nov. 3, 1989.
On April 1, Square One Community Inc. will take over the building at 138 Fairford Street West and develop a warming space and dedicated women’s shelter. Square One is a non-profit dedicated to advocating for and supporting people in the city who do not have access to safe, reliable shelter.
MJNPHC has owned William Milne Place since 1990, when it signed a lease agreement with the city and created a men’s low-income housing project, taking ownership of the property shortly afterwards. A 2013 sub-lease with the municipality granted offices in the building to Global Direct Realty Inc.
Global Direct Realty’s new location is 150 – 361 Main Street North, in the City Square Mall.
City administration presented an update about the finalized agreements during the April 10 regular council meeting.
Council learned during its previous meeting that Square One planned to meet with the Downtown Business Association because that organization had concerns with the warming shelter, Coun. Doug Blanc said. He wondered what the outcome was of that meeting and whether those concerns had been resolved.
Square One met with 10 business owners and exchanged plenty of good information while opening the lines of communication, said Coun. Crystal Froese, also the board vice-chair of Square One.
“A good relationship has formed between the two groups, so I think it will move forward that way,” she added.
Coun. Heather Eby, council’s rep on the Downtown Business Association, agreed that it was a good meeting. The organization was hesitant going in since it was unsure what to expect. However, Square One answered every question, which was positive.
Eby commended Gwen Fisher, the Moose Jaw Public Library’s head librarian, for attending because she has become involved in the community’s homeless situation due to what’s been happening at the library.
“It was her comments and her input that really put the downtown businesses — not at ease but brought them into a new understanding of what is really happening,” said Eby.
“She made that meeting really, really good. And everyone around that table was just so impressed with her,” the councillor added. “So we have a great asset in Gwen Fisher, not only as the head librarian but as a community person.”
Mayor Clive Tolley singled out Vicki Pantelopoulos, owner of Global Direct Realty, for how she reacted to the situation at William Milne Place. He thought she was generous by agreeing to move out on short notice, while he commended her for being a good community organization.
Council then voted unanimously to receive the update about the warming centre.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, April 24.
