Edmonton non-profit shuts down after being forced to leave surplus government building
CBC
An Edmonton non-profit organization that helped refugees and disaster victims for 34 years is shutting down after the Alberta government ended its no-cost lease at its downtown location.
The board of directors for the Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society (EERSS) tried to find a new home but were unable to find anything affordable.
"Because we couldn't find a building in time, the board made a decision that we would dissolve the organization," said treasurer Shane Harnish.
EERSS based its operations in a surplus government building known as Warehouse #3 at 10255 104th St.
The province leased the building to the society under a no-cost, month-to-month agreement. It also provided maintenance and upkeep for free at a cost of about $90,000 a year.
The situation changed last spring when the building's boiler broke down. Alberta Infrastructure decided that the cost to repair or replace the equipment was too high.
The Alberta government is interested in getting private companies to develop some of its surplus properties in Edmonton, including the old Glenora site of the Royal Alberta Museum and Warehouse #3.
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