Site preparations have begun for the new home of Riverside Mission.
Demolition crews have been on site at 212 and 218 River Street West for more than a week, where they tore down a closed auto shop and have been removing concrete and debris from the properties.
Metal fencing has been placed nearby for when actual construction of underground and above-ground infrastructure begins.
Construction of a new building is expected to begin next March. The new centre will have 30 suites of affordable housing, including six rooms dedicated to men going through addiction treatment. Riverside Mission will be given a bigger space to support clients. It will also receive a new kitchen, men’s shelter, and an expanded clothing giveaway program.
The building will also act as a food distribution centre for southern Saskatchewan. Souls Harbour Rescue Mission has developed partnerships with companies that sell meat, vegetables and canned goods. The non-profit has already been able to share excess food with food banks in communities such as Swift Current, Moose Jaw and Estevan.
The centre will offer a combination of free-of-charge community offices and board rooms as well. Offices will be available to community organizations that help Riverside Mission support the men who live at the shelter. This means a mental health counsellor, a priest or pastor, and a nurse could work regularly on-site.
Souls Harbour Rescue Mission — which merged with Riverside Mission in 2019 — has $500,000 built up for this project. The organization is working on provincial and federal applications that could bring another $6 million to $8 million.
