Royal City Mission opens new washroom, shower and laundry facilities for Guelph’s most vulnerable

CTV’s Heather Senoran takes a look at new facilities in Guelph that are helping people get a clean start, while maintaining their dignity.

Royal City Mission has opened an accessible washroom, shower and laundry for Guelph’s most vulnerable residents.

The organization is committed to providing safe spaces, and creating community, for those in need.

“Someone’s already asked me to play a game of cards because they want to connect to and chat,” said executive director Kevin Coghill. “Drop in, hang out and connect.”

They now have another reason to visit the Quebec Street location.

A new washroom, shower and laundry are available for anyone who signs up with staff during their regular drop-in hours.

“People that are camping and living rough, they don’t have access to running water, necessarily, so that’s a big deal,” Coghill explained. “For people that are struggling, it’s really important. [It’s] not just good for their wellbeing, but also sometimes for how other people perceive people [in these situations]. A shower makes us all feel better.”

CTV News spoke to Lisa, who lives in a tent and stops by the centre every day.

“They’re friendly, they’re nice,” she said, adding, “They give you food.”

The new facilities are a game changer for many, including Lisa.

“No way we can get laundry done,” she said. “Just throw them in the garbage and get new ones, right?”

Lisa typically goes to public pools to shower but said it isn’t always easy to catch a bus and make the trip.

“Then you have everybody showering beside you, all in the same shower. It’s not ideal either.”

Lisa can’t wait to use the new facilities at Royal City Mission.

“This place is amazing,” she said. “A Godsend.”

It took three years of planning and more than $100,000 in federal funding and community donations to get to this point.

“We’ve had an accessible washroom upstairs, but it’s really hard to get people to the space, which means they have to come and find staff and access the washroom,” Coghill explained. “Now it’s located close for people who have mobility devices.”

Some of the kinks are still being worked out, but the organization said they should be up and running in the next week or so.

“We’ve never had a shower or laundry available,” Coghill said. “So, this is all new. New to our community, but also new to us.”