Pastor George Esser says it all feels a little surreal. It’s also a big relief. One day after airing his frustration about lengthy delays in receiving city approval to open 36 new shelter beds at River City Vineyard, Sarnia officials gave Esser the green light. George Esser. ((Glenn […]
Pastor George Esser says it all feels a little surreal.
It’s also a big relief.
One day after airing his frustration about lengthy delays in receiving city approval to open 36 new shelter beds at River City Vineyard, Sarnia officials gave Esser the green light.
“We will take registration at the front desk for the first occupants on Friday,” he said. “This is finally happening. I can hardly believe it.”
It’s been more than three years since expansion work began at the church and shelter on Mitton Street. As of Friday, River City will be able to accommodate women for the first time in the shelter’s 17-year history.
Another 25 beds will also open for men, adding to the 28 already in operation. In total, River City Vineyard’s shelter will have 70 beds available just as winter sets in.
Esser originally planned to open the $1-million expansion last spring but a long list of requirements related to construction and fire regulations delayed the project.
He said he was not made aware of many of those requirements until he was about to open in June, then in November, and again in December.
Most recently, Esser was told on Friday that the shelter needed to contract a service to respond to emergency calls, in addition to security already hired.
That could have meant the new beds wouldn’t open until some time in January. Esser said his frustration prompted him to write a letter to city hall, copy it to the mayor, and speak to The Journal on Monday about the delays.
On Tuesday morning, a city and a fire official arrived at the shelter to help come up with a solution, he said.
It was agreed that a designated individual at the shelter will be on “Fire Watch” duty until an emergency call service is in place.
“They’ll patrol the corridors and watch for smoke,” Esser explained. He said he is pleased that the city’s building and fire departments were able to work with RCV to find a temporary fix.
The opening of 36 new beds on Friday is a “significant milestone” in River City’s mission to provide support to local residents experiencing homelessness, Esser said.
The original 28 beds, which accommodate men only, are running at full capacity and Esser said he knows there’s significant demand for the new beds.
But he doesn’t want them to fill up right away.
“I’d prefer a gradual intake or we will be overwhelmed the first night,” he said. Pre-registration at the front desk will take place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.
River City Vineyard church occupies a former YMCA building. The new women’s section is located where the pool once was and has been fully renovated with new washrooms, showers and 16 “pods” designed by Esser to provide privacy and storage space.
Plans are to run the women’s shelter drug-free and put no limits on how long each woman can stay. However, Esser said all shelter occupants are required to leave the building during the day.
“Bored people get in trouble with each other,” he said. “It’s good to get out, to get some exercise.”
While he prefers gradual intake, Esser said he knows the first real cold snap will quickly fill the shelter.
Last summer, the RCV went drug-free and most residents can expect to be randomly tested for substance abuse. However, Esser said the new men’s section won’t mandate patrons to be drug-free.
“We want to provide support for everyone,” he said. “But we’ll have to see how it goes.”
