Development approved for women’s shelter & transitional housing in Bonnyville

The proposed women’s shelter and transitional housing facilities the Bonnyville Friendship Centre has proposed. Image: Bonnyville town council meeting package Oct. 8.

A plan to eliminate one of the barriers of women fleeing domestic violence — housing — took a step forward at Bonnyville town council on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

The Bonnyville Friendship Centre is looking to build a women’s shelter and transitional housing facility on the land formerly known as the Duclos Hospital on the west end of town.

Development permit applications were filed to be discussed at the municipal planning commission, and were approved by council at the meeting.

Previously, in late June, the area was re-zoned for the possibility of building these facilities, despite some concerns from nearby residents and business owners that the location would not meet the needs of the clients.

“It is a need. Whether we see it firsthand or not, there is a need for a women’s shelter,” said Mayor Elisa Brosseau on The Morning After. 

“Although it was rezoned, shelters still do not fall under the development for that area, and that’s why it had to come to council.

“Council had an opportunity to read through all the feedback, but weighing the pros and cons for the municipality as a whole, taking into consideration that the Friendship Centre, they are the experts, they feel this is the best location.” 

According to Town notes, the women’s shelter consists of 23 beds along with offices and other support rooms. There would be no visit exceeding 30 days, as the shelter is meant for short term stays. 

The transitional housing includes six bedrooms rooms, some with multiple beds, totaling 12 beds.

Support and cost

Plans have been going on for well over a year.

The Friendship Centre included several letters of support dating back to summer 2023: including from the Bonnyville RCMP, MLA Scott Cyr, M.D. of Bonnyville, as well as Cold Lake First Nations, and the Town in acquiring grant funding from the federal government. This was meet by one letter of concern from an adjacent landowner.

They also attached an emergence response plan.

Coming back town council, a series of stipulations were part of approving the application, following the June 25 re-zoning of the property from Urban Reserve to Institutional.

“This is very, very important for our region to have something like this, that these women who are being abused have a place to go,” said councillor Phil Kushnir at the council meeting, following due diligence, he said, in making calls in how these facilities work in other communities.

However, the question of who is paying for the facility development was on council’s mind, as Kushnir said he would not be in favour of paying the expense of it.

Councillor Byron Johnson said there may need to be more walking options, like a trail or more sidewalks to accomodate the foot traffic anticipated on 66th Street.

Stepping Stones Crisis Society, who has operated a women’s shelter in Cold Lake for some 40 years, is currently in construction of a massive four-story building that will almost triple their capacity to 63 beds.

They are still fundraising to achieve their $15 million target, and have come to the Town of Bonnyville for funding asks as well.

“From what I understand from the Friendship Centre, they have received grant funding to build it, and there is not going to be an ask to the Town as of yet. That doesn’t mean one might not come, but that is a completely different, separate issue,” said Brosseau.

“At this time, it is not a decision that council had made.”

Brosseau comments