Saskatoon Tribal Council looking toward future of wellness centre after lease extension

The Saskatoon Tribal Council's tribal chief says he's happy its emergency wellness centre will stay in its current location for the time being, but he's already looking for a permanent home for the program. 

On Wednesday, Saskatoon city council approved a lease extension for the 75-bed shelter to April 2023.

The wellness centre, located in an unoccupied city-owned office building in the downtown, was set up this winter over fears about the city's growing homeless population being forced to sleep outside in the cold. Since it opened, the shelter has been completely full.

With the lease set to expire later this month, the Saskatoon Tribal Council, which represents seven Treaty 6 First Nations, requested an extension.

"I think we're an essential service in the city that's actually making a difference in people's lives," said Tribal Chief Mark Arcand.

"The last thing the chiefs of the Saskatoon Tribal Council want to see is people on the streets and families and kids on the streets."

The shelter's location has been controversial. Many neighbouring businesses and downtown residents have complained about people congregating outside the building. 

However, Arcand said he never wanted the centre to be located downtown and only agreed to the property as the group had no other options.

"Right now, there are people out there that don't want to help," he said.

"I think they have to be challenged and I think they have to be educated on what we're doing as a service."

He said that the group is looking at creating two separate centres, including one on 20th Street, to replicate the shelter's services.

"We need two facilities because of the complex needs of people," said Arcand. 

"We see people here that have serious, complex needs and then we have people in the middle that are trying to get healthy."

In May, the provincial government gave the wellness centre a $3.5-million grant to run the centre for one year as a pilot project.

The tribal council is still trying to find the money to purchase the sites.

Arcand believes it could take between eight months and a year before the sites will be ready.

'Everyone deserves a chance': client

A representative from the Saskatoon Police Service said he's a firm believer in the wellness centre and its mission.

Supt. Cameron McBride, who oversees patrol division, said he's been very impressed with what he has seen so far.

"What's happening here is working and working very well," he said.

"When I look at the need and when I look at the services being provided here, I am absolutely convinced that this part of the need is is being met in a very good way."

Supt. McBride said that calls for service have increased in the area since the wellness centre opened its doors. However, he said peacekeepers hired by the centre are doing a very good job of maintaining order.

"By the time we get here, staff from the wellness centre have dealt with the issue," he said.

"We're committed to be here, to be a presence, but we're also relying heavily on the peacekeeping staff here so that people are dealt with in an appropriate way."

Jason Wattendorf, who is staying in the wellness centre, said he's grateful it's available.

"I've been to other places in the city, and it wasn't a pleasant experience for me," he said.

"This place, within 24 hours, I knew that my life was going to change for the better."

Wattendorf said the wellness centre has a history of hiring people who stay in the shelter, and he wants to become a peacekeeper.

"We need the community to help us. Everyone deserves a chance, over and over and over."