The second Marguerite Riel Centre location is across the street from their main location. (Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

MRC expansion

Marguerite Riel Centre expands into second location

Feb 6, 2025 | 4:17 PM

Exciting news for the Marguerite Riel Centre (MRC) in Melfort.

The organization has opened a second location.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to receive some funding so that we will be opening a second location across the street from our main building,” Director of Operations Joanne Yakowec told northeastNOW.

The second location will be located in the former JBN Promotions building on Burrows Ave. W.

Yakowec said the MRC has a big building, but they found they were being limited to how many programs they could run at one time. She added the new location will allow them to expand programs, offer more groups and activities, and explore new ideas. Yakowec said they hope to expand into music, art therapy, land-based cultural learning, and physical and nutrition programs.

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“It will be more of a working wellness centre.”

The MRC also announced the evening outreach program has received funding to continue.

“We had funding for an evening outreach, and now we’re fortunate enough to be able to get funding so that we will be able to continue the evening outreach right through the summer,” said Yakowec.

The evening outreach has been taking place on the streets, but Yakowec said starting next week they will likely move it into the new building. She said that will allow people on the street to come out of the elements and warm up inside.

“They don’t get to warm up in the vehicles when we’re on the street as much, so that will allow them to actually come in and be able to sit down and warm up.”

They will still be offered the same sandwiches, soup, emergency clothing and other items they currently receive.

Yakowec said they hope the new building will be a big benefit, and it will run until March of 2026. The organization will review the new site in the fall to see if it is feasible to continue.

Having the new building just across the street will make things easier for the organization, as they can take items back-and-forth when needed. Yakowec said the new location does not have a kitchen but having it nearby allows them to take food from their main building to the new one easily.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com