Saskatoon council backs drop-in centre near planned daycare

A provincial drop-in centre for vulnerable people will be located in downtown Saskatoon, despite concerns about a daycare planned to open this spring across the street.

City council approved Wednesday spending $1.65 million to purchase a building at 130 Idylwyld Dr. so a drop-in centre for warming can be established. Most of that money will come from a federal fund intended to address homelessness.

Council voted 7-4 in favour of the purchase, despite concerns raised by nearby businesses worried about rising social disorder issues and about a daycare that will be located on Wall Street, right across from the proposed drop-in centre.

Representatives from the YWCA did not appear at the meeting, but it became clear during discussions that the charity is planning to open the daycare with 90 spots in the spring.

"I'm scared to go to work after hours," said Tamara Bowman, who owns a building and operates an interior design business located a block north of the proposed drop-in centre.

"I'm scared every time I go into my carport and to see who is there. I worry about my staff who work late. My team is fully female, which matters. 

"I've dealt with broken windows, vandalism, break-ins, theft and ultimate harassment. The fear is real."

Bowman, who has run her business downtown for 25 years, said the situation has deteriorated since the pandemic struck and businesses continue to struggle.

Several speakers said the YWCA has invested more than $1 million into the Wall Street building where the daycare is expected to open, along with an outdoor play area. The YMCA did not immediately reply to a message Wednesday seeking comment.

Optometrist Kristine Wilkinson said she recently bought the building adjacent to the proposed drop-in centre. She operates her optometry business in the building and invested $100,000 to improve it.

Wilkinson said she will consider selling the building if the drop-in centre locates next door.

Several speakers pointed out Idylwyld is a busy street, and locating a drop-in centre there could pose safety issues and compromise the privacy of the people using it.

The province has been running a drop-in centre for women in a former restaurant on Avenue C in the Riversdale neighbourhood since December. Under city hall's plan, that centre would close and the one on Idylwyld would take its place.

The Idylwyld location would have a capacity of 150 people, but it's not clear yet whether it would accommodate men or women or both.