Saskatoon city council approves $1.2M winter warming centre plan
CTV
Saskatoon’s new city council has approved the latest cold weather strategy, a $1.2 million plan to operate winter warming centres for those in need.
Saskatoon’s new city council has approved the latest cold weather strategy, a $1.2 million plan to operate winter warming centres for those in need.
City administrators pitched the idea at a city council meeting Wednesday morning, saying they secured about $1 million from private donors and the provincial and federal governments, but the remaining $200,000 is needed from the city.
“We need to fill that [funding] gap to ensure that we have the full funding to secure the locations and the staffing for the entire period of time,” said Lesley Anderson, director of city planning and development.
City council unanimously approved the $200, 000 which will be taken from the Reserve for Capital Expenditures.
Pamela Goulden-McLeod, director of emergency management with the Saskatoon Fire Department, said receiving council’s support was critical.
“I'm so glad that council understands the emergency issue that we're dealing with and is providing that level of support,” Goulden-McLeod said.
The new cold weather strategy focuses on “warming and navigation centres,” with a goal of adding outreach supports to the locations.
