ANTIGONISH: Residents in the Town of Antigonish will soon benefit from a regional emergency shelter.
Unanimously, councilors voted to support the establishment of a regional shelter located at the Heatherton Community Centre, in the tune of $18,131, during the town’s regular, monthly council meeting on July 17.
During the meeting, a lengthy discussion took place for an in-town location for an emergency shelter with Councillor Dianne Roberts voicing her concerns with the lack of parking at the CACL, while Councillor Sean Cameron noted St. Ninian’s may be a better option.
“We’ve had recommendation from EMO to do one [emergency shelter] at Heatherton and one at CACL,” Mayor Laurie Boucher told reporters following the meeting. “Council’s request is for our EMO director to come back to a joint council and talk to the criteria for CACL.”
When asked about the motivation behind establishing emergency shelters, she advised Antigonish has been lucky in the past with severe weather events, but recent events have shed a light on potential situations.
“Fiona made us realize we need an emergency shelter closer to town,” Boucher said. “This agreement allows us to take over the building, if needed.”
As for the cost associated to the in-town emergency shelter, the mayor advised it would be based on uniform-assessment.