Controversial West Kelowna hygiene centre for homeless population abandoned

Plans for a arguable hygiene centre successful West Kelowna, B.C.,  person seemingly travel to a halt.

“Upon further consideration, cardinal partnering organizations person indicated they are nary longer willing successful pursuing nan projected hygiene centre successful nan projected location,” head of improvement approvals Brent Magnan said successful a study headed to assembly Tuesday.

“As a result, nan connection will not beryllium proceeding arsenic outlined and nary further reporting is anticipated connected this connection astatine this time.”

West Kelowna metropolis assembly first put plans for a caller hygiene centre connected a impermanent clasp past period amid concerns astir nan imaginable effect to nan community.

The projected installation would beryllium for group experiencing homelessness to person meals and showers entree laundry and shelter during nan day. The location was a vacant building disconnected Churchill Road successful nan downtown halfway that is owned by nan nutrient slope and already zoned for that use.

Coun. Rick de Jong was 1 of nan critics of nan connection and said he thought it was excessively adjacent to nan Lady of Lourdes simple school, nan organization waterpark and Julia’s Junction, an inclusive playground.

“Is nan correct spot to put successful a hygiene centre and perchance a harm simplification centre for this community? I would opportunity astatine this constituent successful time, my sentiment is no,” de Jong said. “Do we request thing for illustration this? Yes. But we request to excavation successful and find a location that suits everybody.”

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Whether a caller location will rematerialize down nan roadworthy remains to beryllium seen and was not mentioned successful nan report.

Interior Health said a hygiene centre offers important support to individuals without homes by providing a installation wherever they tin support their individual hygiene and person entree to accommodation wherever they tin get their basal needs met successful an due location.

“It besides creates an opportunity for individuals to nexus to various societal aliases wellness services successful an accessible location,” Interior Health lawman main aesculapian wellness serviceman Dr. Silvina Mema said successful a connection to Global News.

“Additionally, entree to this centre tin besides supply improvements successful some beingness and intelligence health, enhancing wide wellbeing which tin consequence successful amended value of life and entree to opportunities to amended one’s surviving conditions, and helping foster a stronger consciousness of belonging wrong their community.”

— pinch files from Taya Fast