Saskatoon council backs downtown drop-in centre near planned daycare

City council voted 7-4 to buy a building at 130 Idylwyld Dr. for a provincial drop-in warming centre using $1.65 million, mostly from a federal homelessness fund; some nearby businesses and councillors raised concerns because a YWCA-operated daycare with 90 spots is planned across the street.

City council approved spending $1.65 million to purchase a building at 130 Idylwyld Dr. so a provincial drop-in centre for warming can be established. The vote was 7-4 and most of the money will come from a federal fund intended to address homelessness that must be spent by the end of March. Speakers at the meeting included nearby business owners who said they fear rising social disorder and noted a planned YWCA daycare across the street. The proposed space would replace an existing warming centre on Avenue C and is intended for temporary relief from extreme cold and heat rather than as a shelter with beds. Key facts: - Council voted 7-4 to purchase 130 Idylwyld Dr. for $1.65 million to establish a drop-in warming centre. - Most funding is from a federal homelessness fund that city hall must allocate by the end of March. - The YWCA is reported to be planning a 90-spot daycare across the street; representatives did not attend the council meeting. - Nearby business owners described safety and privacy concerns and said they were not adequately consulted about the plan. - The Idylwyld location would have a capacity of up to 150 people and would not include overnight beds. - Council also voted to study whether to prevent future shelters and drop-in centres from locating within 250 metres of licensed daycares. Summary: The decision secures a downtown site intended to provide temporary warming and cooling space and would replace a Riverdale location that has been operating since December. Local businesses and some councillors expressed concerns about the choice of site and the timing of consultations. City council has directed a study on proximity limits for shelters near daycares, and officials must spend the federal funding before the end of March. Further details about the centre’s client composition and exact operations remain undetermined at this time.