The organization tasked with building a homeless shelter in the city of Coquitlam said it is on track to open at the end of this year.
But a backup plan will be in place if the shelter at 3030 Gordon Ave. is not completed before next winter, said RainCity Housing associate director Sean Spear.
"We are definitely going to have a contingency," he told Coquitlam council during a committee meeting Monday. "If things look like they are going to be delayed, there will be a system in place."
Spear acknowledged the timeline is tight but added that pile-driving and some foundation work are already underway, and noted work could be done over weekends to speed up construction.
Noise from construction has not prompted any complaints from neighbours, Spear told the committee, and his organization has been speaking with residents in the area about what to expect during the construction process.
When it is completed, the $13-million facility will provide 30 emergency shelter rooms, 30 units of transitional housing and 30 shelter beds in dormitory rooms.
Meals, counselling, life skills development, and community health and wellness services will also be provided on site.
The Hope for Freedom Society, which currently administers the cold/wet weather mat program in the Tri-Cities, will continue to conduct outreach work to the homeless in the community. Spear said RainCity has been working with Hope for Freedom, an arrangement that will continue after the shelter opens.
Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart said it is important RainCity includes other stakeholders and community groups in the operation of the shelter.
"There area lot of community groups that consider themselves partners," Stewart said. "We are expecting that our community groups that want to be part of this will be."
Spear told The Tri-City News in November he hoped to build on the relations established between RainCity and the community during the design workshop process. An advisory committee will be in place and there will be several open houses, barbecues and opportunities for people to be volunteers and make donations.
@GMcKennaTC
