Lethbridge City Hall, file photo. (Image: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

City of Lethbridge holding open house for potential sober shelter

Sep 14, 2022 | 11:25 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge wants to hear from residents about the potential creation of a temporary sober shelter.

As a means of assisting the homeless and at-risk population, Lethbridge City Council voted on August 9, 2022, to explore the creation of such a facility at the Civic Ice Centre.

Councillor Jenn Schmidt-Rempel said at the time that this was one way the city could help those living in encampments in the Civic Centre area by allowing them to move into a safe environment where they could get the assistance they need.

Now, the city has announced plans to hold an open house in city hall.

The public is invited to bring their ideas to the meetings, including what steps should be considered in the development of the project.

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An advisory from the city states that the funding and operation of social housing falls under the jurisdiction of the Government of Alberta, but the City of Lethbridge can support those efforts by ensuring that the appropriate space is ready should funding become available.

“From the City’s side, these efforts include gathering and evaluating community feedback, identifying potential budgetary implications, submitting development permit applications which includes change of use and developing lease agreement terms for a potential operator,” reads a media release from the City of Lethbridge.

Two open house sessions will be held, one on Saturday, September 24, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and the other on Monday, September 26 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Anybody who would like to provide feedback but will be unable to attend can fill out an online survey, which will be available from September 21 to October 6, 2022, at GetInvolvedLethbridge.ca.

READ MORE: City of Lethbridge to explore creating sober shelter at Civic Centre