Winter shelter opens in former newspaper building

Kelowna’s Gospel Mission will open and operate a temporary winter shelter in the old Courier building at 550 Doyle Avenue on Tuesday (Dec. 1.

The new co-ed winter shelter will be used by people who are living rough, many of them who have being camping at the city designated camping site on Baillie Avenue. The large building has sleeping pods that are sectioned off with a bed, nightstand, and a barrier between people to follow COVID-19 guidelines for physical distancing.

As well as a place to sleep, the residents will have access to on-site showers, laundry and three meals a day. The shelter will be in operation until March 31st, 2021.

“It is essential that people have a warm place to go during the cold weather. We are thrilled at the way organizations came together so no one must sleep outside this winter. We are extremely grateful to the Mission Group, BC Housing, and the City of Kelowna for working with us to make this happen. We could not have done this without the support of our community partners,” Carmen Rempel, Executive Director at the Gospel Mission, said.

The Mission had planned an open house on Monday (Nov. 30), but due to an abundance of caution over the new COVID-19 guidelines, cancelled the walk-through event.

Thanks to Seva, Technical Assistant at the Kelowna Library Makerspace, a virtual tour can be viewed at this link.