Residents of Thunder Bay will have an opportunity to engage with city officials regarding the upcoming temporary shelter village during an open session scheduled for this weekend. The city is organizing a drop-in event on Saturday to facilitate discussions about the project.
City Supervisor of Encampment Response, Rilee Willianen, highlighted the presence of key project personnel at the event, including city staff, the operator, and the design-build team. Attendees will have the chance to explore different stations within the space, each focusing on a distinct aspect of the project, and interact with relevant individuals at their own pace.
Demetrakopoulos Enterprises Inc., the operator of the village, will also be in attendance to address queries from residents. Willianen emphasized the importance of in-person interactions to address community questions and concerns effectively.
The temporary shelter village, situated at the Hillyard site on Alloy Place, will feature 80 sleeping cabins, along with laundry and shower facilities for homeless individuals. Additionally, the village will provide support services to assist residents in transitioning to permanent housing solutions.
Saturday’s open house aims to offer insights into the village’s design and information dissemination strategies. McKellar Ward Coun. Brian Hamilton expressed his support for the project’s transparency and professionalism, noting positive feedback from local business owners. Hamilton emphasized the importance of successful project implementation with minimal impact on surrounding businesses.
The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Canada Games Complex’s Quebec Room. Hamilton confirmed his attendance, focusing on site integration and community-wide implications of the shelter village.