Prairie Oasis pitched for drop-in

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This article was published 20/12/2023 (743 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The former Prairie Oasis Senior Centre at 241 Eighth St. has been proposed as yet another possible location — the fourth so far — for the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation’s overnight drop-in centre.

The proposal comes amidst the ongoing discourse on suitable locations for a drop-in shelter in Brandon to serve the homeless community.

After it pulled the plug on using a church on Eighth Street last week, BNRC redirected its focus to the worship space on Lorne Avenue that is now owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God Restoration Parish.

Business owner and Brandon resident Scott Pedlow, who is spearheading the latest suggestion, said the Prairie Oasis site’s location and its possession of requisite amenities to address the community’s pressing needs make it a suitable location.

Expressing concern over the vacant status of the property, which is owned and managed by Manitoba Housing — an entity responsible for local housing initiatives — Pedlow urged BNRC to swiftly consider using the site.

“The location is centrally situated, and is managed by the same department responsible for housing in this area,” he told the Sun. “It’s currently vacant, and based on feedback, the necessary work appears to be mainly cosmetic.”

He highlighted the absurdity of a property with heating, water and necessary amenities, owned by the province, sitting idle amid an ongoing housing crisis, noting the responsibility of the provincial government in address this pressing issue.

“This location is adjacent to a building intended to fulfil low-income housing needs facilitated by Manitoba Housing and other non-profits, with the land allocated by the city and province,” Pedlow explained. “Additionally, it sits across from Princess Park, a place often frequented by people during warmer weather.”

Pedlow said Manitoba Housing told him there are plans to initiate renovations at the location starting in spring or summer, and that the proposed renovations would encompass a substantial overhaul for both the previous Prairie Oasis site and the connected housing units.

“Presently, the project has been outsourced to consultants to draft necessary designs and plans,” he said. “If concerns arise regarding potential damages from its use as a shelter, it’s worth noting that financial resources are already being allocated for these renovations.”

In an email to the City of Brandon’s Community Housing and Wellness coordinator Shannon Saltarelli, Pedlow advocated for the immediate use of the location and challenged the provincial government to allocate resources, underscoring the need for the city and province to work collaboratively to swiftly resolve this issue.

Responding to Pedlow’s suggestion, Saltarelli acknowledged the viability of the Prairie Oasis building.

“I and BNRC executive director Rushana Newman have spoken, and we continue to look at other options that are ‘move-in ready’ and it was good to revisit this location,” she said. “I have included Jason Gobeil, who is in the regional cabinet office for the NDP, as well (Brandon) Mayor (Jeff) Fawcett, as he has taken an interest in trying to help find a solution for the BNRC.”

Pedlow said practicality and necessity must be considered.

“The real question is if not in a location like this then where and what will meet the need?” he asked. “If it is a skid office with bathrooms, then put it on Pacific Avenue on city-owned land, where many of these individuals have erected tent cities and gather for aid.”

The Prairie Oasis site, he said, is under 100 per cent provincial government control and, if being renovated anyhow, presents a perfect solution.

Despite this development, neither the proposal for the worship space on Lorne Avenue nor the 241 Eighth St. location is yet to find its place on the agenda for the city’s planning commission meeting scheduled for this evening. Efforts made to get further details from Newman were unsuccessful, as she did not comment when contacted by the Sun on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Mayor Fawcett told the Sun that BNRC is actively pursuing a suitable location, noting the city’s role in the decision-making process is limited.

“We aim to assist where possible, given its alignment with our interests,” he said. “I am aware of their collaboration with city planning and their exploration of multiple potential locations.”

Fawcett emphasized collaborative actions between the city and other entities.

“I have scheduled meetings on Wednesday in Winnipeg with (Housing) Minister (Bernadette) Smith, primarily focusing on homelessness and related issues,” he said. “It’s a larger meeting involving participants from Winnipeg and Brandon.”

While discussions persist and options remain on the table, Pedlow said the urgency to address the immediate need for an overnight drop-in centre for the homeless population in Brandon remains a critical concern for both community members and local authorities.

“We’ve been fortunate the last three months with non-extreme temperatures,” he said. “This situation highlights inefficiencies, which, in my view, impede progress and exemplify the challenges preventing effective actions by politicians.”

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