Social services hub concept raises concerns
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/05/2025 (313 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Some people who work in Brandon’s downtown are concerned after Manitoba Housing held a meeting to get the community’s input on what social services it can offer from a vacant seniors’ drop-in centre.
On May 1, Manitoba Housing held a community engagement event at the former Prairie Oasis Senior Centre at 241 Eighth St. The centre closed in 2022 after more than 50 years of serving the community.
Lisa Vasconcelos, who owns Mecca Productions Theatre and Performing Arts Centre, said the meeting started out with talk of services to support seniors living in the attached Lawson Lodge.
The vacant Prairie Oasis Senior Centre at 241 Eighth St. in Brandon. Manitoba Housing's potential plans for the building have caused apprehension among some people who work in the downtown area. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
As the meeting continued, however, she said the focus shifted to the development of a social services hub.
Some of the audience members’ suggestions included a homeless shelter, showers, meal program, addictions site and safe-injection site.
Vasconcelos said she knows social services are necessary, but she doesn’t think they should all be concentrated downtown.
“I am in no way against social services,” said Vasconcelos. “I just don’t think it’s contributing to making downtown Brandon a safe, vibrant and clean place to be.”
While Mecca is a few blocks away from the vacant building, Vasconcelos said it’s not a good idea to have a social services hub next to the YMCA when they run a daycare and programs for children.
The president and CEO of Brandon’s YMCA said he did not receive an invitation from Manitoba Housing, but instead from another party who had.
“We have been downtown and in the centre of the community for over 100 years. We have been part and parcel of the community,” said Lon Cullen.
Cullen said he is concerned about the fact that YMCA’s daycare, which brings in more than 100 young children daily, is right across the back lane from the space. Additionally, he said there are 5,000 members who come to the YMCA over the course of the week, including many who are under the age of 18.
Cullen said whatever does go in the space needs to be compatible with the YMCA’s vision and its activities downtown, adding that the YMCA would be “very interested” in using the space for some of its programming.
If the YMCA did use the space, he said it would be inclusive.
“We’ve never turned people away on their inability to pay. For somebody who is needing support, we will assist them with a membership to access all the programs that the Y has,” Cullen said.
Overall, he emphasized his main concern is for the children who use the facility.
In an emailed statement, a provincial spokesperson said community providers will have the opportunity to submit an “expression of interest” regarding the site.
“Manitoba Housing is engaging with tenants and community to determine how the Prairie Oasis site can best serve the residents and community and support a safe and thriving downtown Brandon,” the spokesperson said.
» sanderson@brandonsun.com