Lethbridge City Council requests additional options for the potential development of an Interim Sober Shelter. (Photo: LNN)

By Sarah Jones

Interim sober shelter back to square one as Lethbridge City Council tables project

Nov 30, 2022 | 3:36 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – After some debate amongst city staff on November 29, 2022, Lethbridge City Council has sent plans for the proposed Interim Sober Shelter back to the drawing board.

Council will be requesting additional options and public response before potentially going forward with the project, following a feedback presentation on Tuesday.

From September 21 to October 6, city staff was tasked with gathering community feedback regarding the possible development of a sober shelter at the former Civic Curling Centre.

Throughout their engagement, more than 220 people attended in-person open houses and 461 completed online surveys to provide ideas and opinions on the project.

Reaction from the public included some strong views on both ends of the spectrum, with some asking the city to do more whereas some felt the project should not go forward.

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These are a handful of respondents who voiced their opinions, expressed additional ideas, and aired their concerns:

“I don’t think this shelter should be supported by the city in any way. Most of the users aren’t sober and this is not a fix for our current problems.”

“This is something that is SO needed! I work downtown and I feel for the homeless population. They’ve been pushed around and harassed. They don’t have anywhere to go, so having one more service that they can use is something so important.”

“Please find balance between the needs of all involved and the community and share, share, share – you simply must do it right this time.”

“I do not feel that this site is at all appropriate for an interim sober shelter. It is too close to family neighborhoods, daycares, local businesses and the library, which all would be affected by increase in the habitants of this shelter.”

Following the feedback presentation, council voted unanimously to rescind the previous direction to apply for a development permit for the site and instead continue to explore the project and other possible sites.

Administration has been directed to bring plans back to council once they have considered alternative options through the Cultural and Social Standing Policy Committee.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen will also be writing a letter to the provincial government to request support on funding opportunities along with site selections for sober shelters in Lethbridge.

“I want to thank everyone who took the time to attend these events or give feedback online,” said Hyggen. “This was valuable information for Council’s consideration as we move forward. I was able to personally hear from a wide-range of community members on all sides of this topic.”

Council’s decision to move the discussion on location to a standing policy committee will allow for additional community feedback and conversation.

Full details on the ‘What We Heard Report’ for the Interim Sober Shelter at the Civic Curling Centre location is available on the City of Lethbridge website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now