By Vernon Matters Staff

Vernon Curling Club new site for merged shelters

Apr 7, 2020 | 3:31 PM

Two Vernon shelter sites, the Gateway, and Our Place, have been amalgamated into one at the Vernon Curling Club.

As part of the province’s response to COVID-19, municipalities were asked to identify public spaces that could potentially be used in response to the public health emergency, if necessary.

Recognizing the potential need for such facilities, Turning Points Collaborative Society (TPCS), BC Housing, Interior Health and the City of Vernon entered into discussions to identify possible sites that would be suitable to combine the Our Place and Gateway Shelter sites under one roof.

Through these discussions, the curling rink was identified as a potential site due to its size, available amenities and proximity to essential services.

“The amalgamation of these two sites into a larger facility allows for far greater physical distancing for both clients and staff,” Turning Points Collaborative Society (TPCS) Executive Director, Randene Wejr said. “This aligns with the provincial health officer’s recommendation around increased physical distancing.”

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Seventy beds have each been sectioned off into a 10×10 area to maximize physical distancing.

TPCS told Vernon Matters they have a three month contract to use the curling rink, which will be reviewed during the pandemic.

During the period, the Gateway and Our Place shelters are being used for storage.

In conjunction with increased sanitization and portable hand washing stations at the curling facility, staff are equipped with all necessary PPE, including masks, and scrubs.

The additional space allows clients to sit further apart during meal times, again increasing physical distancing. The site will also allow for in-house meals, plus increased laundry and shower capabilities, reducing the potential risk of virus transmission.

Combining the shelter sites into one large area also allows for more staff to be on shift; ensuring TPCS has a good complement of staff, should a staff member call in sick or if they have been advised by their physician to self-isolate.

“This plan is designed to keep the virus from being transmitted from employee to resident, employee to employee and from resident to employee,” Wejr said. “This is designed to keep all of us safe and healthy.”

People experiencing homelessness and other marginalized and vulnerable populations have higher rates of health concerns and may be at greater risk if exposed to the virus.

by Vernon Matters Staff

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