Salvation Army opens warming centre in downtown Prince Albert

Operated by the Salvation Army, the centre provides amenities for 35 guests during freezing winter temperatures. Jasmine Pelletier has more.

Earlier this month, the Salvation Army opened the Meeting Place in downtown Prince Albert, a warming centre that operates day and night.

“We came up with that name last year because we felt it was a little friendlier, a little softer than, oh, let’s go to the warming center,” said Salvation Army Major Ed Dean.

The Meeting Place, which has a maximum capacity of 35, has a seating area for those who need somewhere to spend the night in freezing winter temperatures.

There is also food, water and access to bathrooms.

The Meeting Place saw more than 20 visitors on opening day. Word has since spread about the centre and the number has gone up.

“They need services,” said Dean. “They need housing. For some of them, that housing literally is here tonight. But if it keeps them alive for another day, they’re somebody’s family.”

Last year, the warming shelter ran out of the Salvation Army building and this year it’s taken over the responsibilities of running the centre.

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While the Salvation Army has been working to onboard enough staff to operate the warming centre, employees at the Prince Albert Métis Women’s Association (PAMWA) have stepped in to work the shifts.

PAMWA director Noreen McBride said the association reached out to help the Salvation Army open the doors for Dec. 15.

“You have the location, the building, and you’re just short on staffing,” said McBride, explaining how she approached the Salvation Army. “We have some staffing. If we could work together, we would partner and be able to open that location as soon as possible, to reach the most vulnerable in that cold weather.”

McBride said while Salvation Army staff will take over the night shifts, PAMWA will continue to help through the winter and connect the visitors with resources.

“Nobody wants to be left behind, especially in the cold,” she said. “Ultimately, we’d love to see everybody housed. We know there’s a number of issues that need to be addressed for a number of them first, and we always hope and pray that that day will come sooner than later.”

The Salvation Army said the centre will be open until April.