Fritz Sick Memorial Centre. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Fritz Sick gym in Lethbridge being used as temporary homeless shelter

Mar 27, 2020 | 2:02 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge is taking steps to ensure its homeless population can stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the next few days, the gymnasium at the Fritz Sick Memorial Centre will be temporarily-transitioned into a homeless shelter.

“This facility will provide more square footage than the current homeless shelter located at 802 – 2 Ave N,” reads a media release from the City of Lethbridge. “This move will provide individuals with the space needed to follow Alberta Health’s recommended social distancing guidelines.”

It will operate with all of the same policies and procedures as the current homeless shelter with staff, resources, and services available to those in need.

Fritz Sick is part of the Lethbridge Senior Citizens’ Organization (LSCO) building in downtown Lethbridge.

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Interim City Manager Jody Meli says they have policies in place to ensure that anyone using the LSCO will be able to stay safe. She adds that the gymnasium at the Fritz Sick has long-since been identified as the backup area that would be used as a shelter space if needed.

The current shelter, the Lethbridge Shelter and Resource Centre, will be used entirely as an intox (safe sobering) facility for the time being. Interim City Manager Jody Meli says this will triple their capacity to help people get sober.

A block of rooms at a motel along Mayor Magrath Drive South will be used for anyone who is homeless that needs to self-isolate. Due to privacy reasons, Meli could not say which motel this is.

This will be used to house clients who fail the COVID-19 screening protocols established by Alberta Health Services.

“Individuals at the self-isolation facility will be supported by health and social services professionals and on-site security to ensure the health and safety of all residents.”

As well, those who are homeless and test negative for COVID-19 will be considered for rapid housing as a means of ensuring they are not in close physical proximity to others who might have the virus.