City extends pandemic shelter at Edmonton Convention Centre to April

The temporary pandemic shelter Tipinaww at the Edmonton Convention Centre on Jasper Avenue will remain open until the end of April, city council agreed unanimously at a meeting Thursday.

The extended operations will cost $2.2 million, an amountavailable in a COVID-19-specific fund set aside in the city's stabilization reserve. This is in addition to the $8 million the city invested in the shelter lastfall.

The 24/7 shelter accommodates 300 people a night, with meals, laundry, shower facilities, as well ascounselling and housing services.

Three agencies have been contracted to run the shelter since October: Boyle Street Community Services, the Bissell Centre and theMustard Seed Society. The Bent Arrow Society helps with cultural programming and counselling.

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Mayor Don Iveson said there's a clear need to continue the operations through the end of the spring.

"I don't regret at all establishing this facility," Iveson said.

Indigenous elders gave the facility the name Tipinaww, a Cree wording meaning shelter from outside elements.

FromOctober2020 to mid-February, nearly 4,200 different peopleaccessed daytime services at the facility, and about 2,300 people used the overnight shelter, says a city report.

Iveson also stressed the need for longer-term solutions.

"I'm sleeping fine at night knowing that we did this, but there has to be a better way," he said."This is the biggest box of Band-Aids we've ever bought."

While it's essential the city extend the temporary shelter for another month, the city, province and agencies need to figure out more suitable supports,including more bridgeandpermanent supportive housing, he said.

• Additional security expected at Edmonton Convention Centre's temporary shelter

At the beginning of the meeting, Coun. Scott McKeen asked about security at the shelter saying he's received emails from residents concerned about what's happening in the area.

Rob Smyth, deputy manager of citizen services, said there were some "significant challenges" early onand the city has beenworking with police and private security to increase presence around the facility.

Temporary encampments have cropped up around the shelter, Smyth noted.

"It's not perfect, but we certainly have tried to increase our activity to make it as safe and secure as we possibly can," Smyth said.

A secondtemporary 24/7 shelter at Commonwealth Stadium is being run by Hope Mission, while a thirdnear 99thStreet in the Ritchieneighbourhood is operated by the Mustard Seed.

@natashariebe