A long-standing women鈥檚 shelter downtown reopens this weekend after a three-month closure for renovations, and it鈥檚 the little things that have staff and clients excited.
鈥淯sing the microwave and the kettle without blowing the breaker, having a kitchen area where everyone can sit together, these small things,鈥� said Christine O鈥橞rien, manager of Cool Aid Society鈥檚 Sandy Merriman House. 鈥淎lso, having reading lights over the beds so people don鈥檛 disturb each other 鈥� Every decision came down to what would people want.鈥�
The $650,000 renovation included new floors, wiring, windows and roof. The kitchen and dining area doubled in size, and a mechanical chair lift was added to a new wood staircase.
鈥淏efore, we only had two beds on the main floor with mobility issues,鈥� O鈥橞rien said. Now, second-level beds are accessible to all. The bathrooms were also renovated for safety.
The Burdett Avenue character home has operated as a shelter and drop-in centre for homeless and at-risk women for more than 20 years. It is named after a woman who died of an accidental drug overdose.
O鈥橞rien said it was the provincial government that decided on the makeover. sa国际传媒 Housing said matching funds came from a provincial-federal affordable-housing agreement.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been operating 20 years of 24/7 use, so there鈥檚 a lot of wear and tear,鈥� said O鈥橞rien, noting taped-down floors and cramped spaces. The shelter has 25 beds for stays of up to one month and four emergency beds. It also provides meals for hundreds of women who stay at the shelter and come for the midday drop-in 鈥� many of whom are former clients now housed.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very much a family and community here,鈥� O鈥橞rien said.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to see the look on the faces of the first people to walk in. I think there will be a lot of pride.鈥�
During the shelter鈥檚 three-month closure, Rock Bay Landing shelter opened 20 beds for women, and a former youth facility on Pembroke Street was used to house 12 more.
鈥淚t was surprisingly intimate,鈥� O鈥橞rien said. 鈥淲e played games and puzzles. People got to know people at a level we鈥檝e never had.鈥�
When Sandy Merriman closed in June, the neighbourhood was at the centre of discussions about homelessness, sparked by the controversial tent city across the street on the courthouse lawn.
O鈥橞rien said she hopes they return to a different tone and that the community embraces the makeover at the house, namely plans for outside the house.
Two local companies, Red Door Landscape Design and Build, and Heritage Masonry, are working on a $50,000 to $75,000 landscape project for the front of the property.
Red Door owner Logan Thomas said he approached Mayor Lisa Helps about a charity project and was directed to the women鈥檚 shelter. He met clients and management to create a landscape design.
鈥淚t鈥檚 tailored to what they need. We listened and will use our expertise and skills to build it,鈥� Thomas said. The design includes the addition of pathways, a circular brick archway, a steel contemplation pond, and Japanese maple and magnolia trees.
鈥淚t will be more of an oasis,鈥� he said.
O鈥橞rien said the landscaping will also benefit the neighbours.
鈥淭hey will be able to look out of their windows and see a beautiful space,鈥� she said, adding she hopes it gives a more positive view of embracing the city鈥檚 homeless.
