Kristine Wilkinson, co-owner of Prairie Optometry

City Council is going ahead with its decision to put a drop-in centre at 130 Idylwyld Drive North, despite pushback from businesses, stakeholders, and several councilors.  

A drop-in centre currently operates out of 325 Avenue C South, however it only has a few showers and laundry units: not enough when serving approximately 120 people per night.  

At its meeting Wednesday, council heard from several local property owners, including Kristine Wilkinson, co-owner of Prairie Optometry. She says she had high hopes for Saskatoon’s downtown when she purchased her building just less than one year ago. 

“Had a drop-in centre or homeless shelter been operating just two doors down at that time, we would not have purchased this property or invested over $200,000 in tenant improvements and renovations for our clinic,” she explains. “This is not just personal. It raises broader concerns about protecting downtown’s long-term fiscal strength and maintaining confidence in the plans that are communicated to us as investors.”

City Manager Jeff Jorgenson assured that although negative impacts to surrounding businesses and homes aren’t zero, they seem to be waning over the years.

“We’ve got our police services, our fire services, the Fire Community Support Team. We work very closely together on this integrated safety plan, and they are having a very positive impact in the areas around, whether it’s a shelter or a drop-in centre.”

Although the motion was passed, it was not a unanimous decision from council, with several members citing concerns such as location, discouraging investment, and a daycare expected to be setting up shop nearby in May. 

Councilor Troy Davies is one of four councilors who voted against the motion.  

“Personally, I’ve been contacted and heard the concerns from parents or potentially parents of this daycare, as well. I would say that those are valid. So, for me, I would say there’s no clear path today that this is a better solution.”

Administration says the drop-in centre would cost just over $1.6 million, covered by federal funding, but would provide a central location, street-level access, proximity to services, and two separate bays for roughly men and women. The maximum capacity will be 150 people, and the expected opening date is November 1 of this year. 

Councilors Donauer, Dubois, and Ford were also opposed.