(File photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Year-round shelter

Nipawin Council approves discretionary use application for Oasis Centre’s year-round shelter

Nov 26, 2025 | 11:15 AM

The Town of Nipawin has given the green light to the Nipawin Oasis Centre’s request for discretionary approval to add a year-round shelter.

General Manager of Community Services Derek Seckinger says the shelter will be an accessory use to the existing community centre on Railway Ave.

“The addition would include a small office, a small storage room, and an open area that will function as an overnight shelter,” Seckinger told northeastNOW. “The intent is to continue operation as an overnight warm-up space during cold weather over the winter, with the option to move to year-round operation in the future if staffing and resources allow.”

Seckinger said the town has already amended the zoning bylaw to allow seasonal and year-round shelters as discretionary accessory uses to a community centre, which makes the Oasis application possible. The Town is now processing the application through its standard planning and development procedures, and Seckinger said Administration is providing professional input on zoning fit, neighbourhood impacts, and community safety.

“Over time, the town may also consider practical infrastructure upgrades, such as improved sidewalk connections, to enhance safe access to the site while supporting Oasis in delivering the service within the approved planning framework.”

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The approval allows the Town of Nipawin to formalize an existing emergency warm-up service in a purpose-built space. Seckinger said it improves safety, oversight, and alignment with the zoning framework, while demonstrating that the municipality is working with community partners to address needs in a practical way.

The move allows the Oasis Centre to have a dedicated, properly designed area to deliver shelter services, including office and storage space.

“For residents who need the service, it offers a safe, warm, supervised place to stay overnight in cold weather, with the potential for future year-round use, reducing the risk of cold-related harm and connecting individuals directly to supports offered by Oasis,” Seckinger explained.

He said neighbours also benefit from having late-night activity moved to a supervised indoor space, helping to take people off the street late at night and reducing foot traffic.

“The Oasis Centre has already been operating an emergency warm-up shelter during the winter, which demonstrates that the need is real and not theoretical,” Seckinger said. “Their experience last winter showed there are individuals in Nipawin who rely on this type of service to stay safe.”

Seckinger added the application moves the service into a more permanent, better-designed space, rather than starting new.

There was public feedback at the meeting, and Seckinger said even people who did not support the proposed location recognized that there was a need for the service. Some of the concerns raised by nearby residents included increased foot traffic, drug or alcohol paraphernalia being left in the neighbourhood, and trespassing.

“At the same time, many speakers emphasized the valuable role the Oasis Centre plays in supporting the community’s most vulnerable residents and recognized that a safe, organized shelter option is necessary.”

Seckinger said despite the warm weather in October, the services were still being used by numerous individuals.

As mentioned earlier, the proposed shelter is an accessory use to the existing centre, so the primary function of the building remains unchanged.

“The addition fits within the existing building and zoning framework does not change or alter day-to-day operations substantially,” Seckinger said. “For that reason, it is expected to have limited impact on surrounding properties while adding meaningful value to overall community safety.

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com