(File photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Temporary shelter proposal

Nipawin Oasis Centre proposes temporary shelter expansion for cold months

May 21, 2025 | 12:00 PM

The Nipawin Oasis Centre is hoping to expand their winter shelter capabilities.

They have reached out to the Town of Nipawin asking to bring in a seasonal shelter, with “two insulated camp-style trailers (one for men, one for women) on our adjacent empty lots to expand shelter capacity.”

According to the Oasis Centre’s letter to the town, the trailers would serve as a warm, safe, temporary overnight space from October to May. The sites would be managed by trained Oasis Centre staff members, and would be located at 504 Railway Ave. W.

“As the need for shelter space continues to grow, especially during colder months, our existing facilities are stretched beyond capacity,” the letter stated. “We opened the shelter at the Oasis Oct. 22, 2024 and since opening we had 114 unique individuals access the shelter for a total of 166 nights for a total of 1,646 people.”

The letter stated the trailers would be heated, lit, and ventilated, with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers installed. There would be a capacity of 10 people per unit, and they would have access to washrooms and laundry.

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“The Oasis Centre operated an emergency overnight shelter in their facility over the past winter and would like to expand the service by adding a couple of additional buildings on their property,” said Nipawin Chief Administrative Officer Michele Sorensen. “This would not be a typical ‘homeless shelter’ it would only be emergency overnight shelter during the winter months.”

A Zoning Bylaw amendment is proposed that would allow for the temporary overnight shelter as a discretionary use in C1 – Downtown Commercial Zone.

“The next steps will be public notice and public hearing,” explained Sorensen. “Once the zoning bylaw amendment is passed (should council pass the bylaw), the Oasis Centre would then need to apply to council for approval for discretionary use.”

The Oasis Centre said in their letter that the purpose of the shelters is to address immediate shelter needs to prevent cold weather injuries or death, and reduce the risk of exposure, illness, and community strain. They added the separate accommodations for men and women address the need for both comfort and safety. The temporary shelter would also alight with community care, reconciliation, and harm reduction principles.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com