Skip to content

Castlegar Community Services awarded new shelter contract

The new 20-bed shelter is expected to open later in 2025
240614-can-permanent-shelter
BC Housing has announced that 2245 6th Ave. will be turned into a permanent shelter for Castlegar.

Castlegar Community Services (CCS) has been awarded the contract to operate the permanent BC Housing shelter planned for 2245 6th Ave.

BC Housing says the operator was chosen through a "fair and open process."

CCS has been part of the Castlegar community for 40 years and has been operating the city's temporary winter shelter each year since 2020. 

After some difficulties the first few years, the 10-bed shelter located at 1660 Columbia Ave. has been running smoothly the last two seasons under CCS's new management and the shelter's new director Deb McIntosh.

McIntosh says there have been no police complaints at the shelter in the last two years.

She says CCS plans to operate the new shelter with the same principles of accountability – guests must follow the rules or leave – as the current shelter.

CCS also plans to continue to work at community engagement by continuing to participate in monthly liaison meetings and listening to community and business concerns.

McIntosh and CCS executive director Reidun Rossi were out in the new shelter's neighbourhood this week, answering questions and handing out letters from BC Housing explaining what is happening with the new shelter.

BC Housing originally announced the purchase of the property in June 2024.

The letter states that the project will require a temporary use permit from the City of Castlegar and the building will be undergoing renovations.

If all permits are approved, the 20-bed shelter will open later in 2025.

BC Housing will be hosting in-person information sessions for interested neighbours on Jan. 22. The discussions will include information on the supports and services offered at the shelter, project timelines, renovations, information on how to get involved and a question period.

There will be three sessions (2:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.) held at The Confluence – the Castlegar Chamber of Commerce's new building at 1995 6th Ave.

Each session has a limit of 15 neighbours, and priority will be given to direct site neighbours followed by the wider community.

Registration is required to attend. To RSVP for a session, visit 2245-6th-avenue-shelter.eventbrite.ca.

 

 



Betsy Kline

About the Author: Betsy Kline

After spending several years as a freelance writer for the Castlegar News, Betsy joined the editorial staff as a reporter in March of 2015. In 2020, she moved into the editor's position.
Read more