City hall has officially terminated the lease agreement with Global Direct Realty (GDR) for its space in William Milne Place, clearing the way for the warming centre to officially open.
After city council approved a motion during its Feb. 27 meeting to terminate its lease agreements with the Moose Jaw Non-Profit Housing Corporation — and by extension, GDR — city administration began working with the corporation to finalize the new agreements and reached out to the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.
Meanwhile, GDR advised city hall on March 3 that it would vacate the premises by March 31 since it had secured new office space. By terminating the lease agreement, the municipality can continue the process for the warming centre and finalize any outstanding agreements.
Square One Community Inc. and the Non-Profit Housing Corporation intend to use William Milne Place as a supported transition housing location with an after-hours drop-in centre and emergency women’s shelter.
City administration presented an update about the lease agreements and warming centre during the March 13 regular council meeting.
The Downtown Moose Jaw Association has questions about the new warming centre and wants to further discuss the project, Coun. Heather Eby said, so it plans to meet with Square One on March 16 to acquire answers to address its concerns.
[Editorial note: MooseJawToday.com initially reported the shelter would open April 1, which is not the case.]
Square One Community, Inc. will have access to the space on April 1. An official opening date for the new shelter has yet to be announced.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, March 27.
