The Town of Gibsons says it’s waiting on funding from BC Housing to operate a winter response shelter, after council approved leasing the Marine Room in the Arts Building at 464 South Fletcher Rd. at an in-camera session Nov. 5.
In an update on its website, the Town said it made the space available after a late October fire at the Salvation Army offices on Gibsons Way made it impossible for the shelter to be located there as originally planned.
While it awaits confirmation of the funding, the Town has begun “preparatory renovations” at the Arts Building, which includes converting an existing washroom into a shower.
“The winter response shelter is expected to be able to accommodate up to 15 people, and to be open from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. seven days a week,” the Town said. “It is anticipated that residents will be offered a hot meal when the doors open, and a bed reservation system will be in place to eliminate the requirement for people to line up outdoors for a bed.”
The shelter had been at 599 Gower Point Rd., a building owned by Christ the King Church, the previous two winters but the space was not available this year.
