By Curtis Galbraith

Community

New Sunrise House project takes big step forward

Jan 24, 2022 | 8:28 PM

Proponents say it is a big step.

City Council approved a Land Use Bylaw change related to a new Sunrise House Youth Emergency Shelter at Monday’s meeting.

It will allow an emergency shelter to be built on city owned land close to Margaret Edgson Manor located at 100 Street and 107 Avenue in the Gateway area.

Sunrise House Executive Director Tanya Wald says they hope to start building this spring or summer.

“You know, (its important to) get these services that are youth and our community deserve and be able to do that much better work and more intervention and prevention work that we have been wanting to do.”

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They hope to move into the building by the fall of 2023.

Wald says the next step will be finalizing the design of the planned three-level facility. After that comes finalizing the budget and fundraising. Wald says there is $3.5 million in place. The estimated cost of a new building is $5.5 million.

Wald adds this will be a better location.

“(It is) closer to the hospital, closer to the high schools,” said Wald. “Accessibility to the building at that site is much better than (the current one). We’re very tucked in to residential, so it can sometimes be trickier to get to or to find.”

Wald says the current location, opened in 2003 in a renovated duplex, can house up to 12 youth. The new one will have room for 24 youth. The new facility would also have 11 bachelor apartments that would serve as supportive housing, plus more programming space.

Wald adds the need for a new youth shelter is big and is growing.

“Unfortunately, we find ourselves being at capacity more often than not. We avoid at all costs ever turning youth away,” she added.

“This (new) facility will just ensure that we never have to turn away and that we always have the space for youth coming in. The needs of our youth are changing so it is just so important that we can grow.”

Wald says the current facility is not wheelchair accessible but the new one will be on all three floors.