A temporary overnight shelter will run at St. Peter's Church from 8:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily from Nov. 15 to March 31. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

safe space

Cold weather shelter re-opening in basement of Nanaimo’s St. Peter’s Church

Nov 9, 2020 | 5:26 AM

NANAIMO — An overnight shelter will soon open to provide a warm bed to those living rough on Nanaimo streets.

The shelter at St. Peter’s Church on Machleary St. is slated to open for its third year on Sunday, Nov. 15 until March 31, 2021 from 8:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. each day.

Two support workers will be inside the church monitoring the 24 beds while another staff member monitors the outside for any issues.

Joy Adams Bauer, president of the Nanaimo Old City Association, told NanaimoNewsNOW she’s “confident” the staff on-hand will help the shelter run smoother than the previous year.

“I know some of the neighbours who live close to the shelter had concerns last year, but I am confident the shelter staff will be able to work with those staying at the shelter to be respectful of the neighbourhood and the folks who live there,” she said.

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A new rule being put in place is clients won’t be allowed to come and go from the shelter and won’t be allowed back in if they leave.

The Unitarian Fellowship is stepping in to run the church shelter. It also operates the year-round Unitarian Shelter on Townsite Rd. and a shower program at Caledonia Park.

The St. Peter’s shelter has handled up to 35 beds in the past but is reducing the number of available spaces so those staying can socially distance properly.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt