The Island Hotel will house 10 people as a temporary shelter, operated by the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association. (wikicommons)

By Spencer Sterritt

on the move

Downtown Ladysmith hotel to accomodate 10-bed shelter

Feb 3, 2021 | 11:34 AM

LADYSMITH — The shelter for those experiencing homelessness in the Ladysmith area is slated to move.

BC Housing submitted an application to the Town of Ladysmith for a temporary use permit at the Island Hotel on 1st Ave. The 10-bed shelter would be operated by the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association, with two staff on-site at all times.

“We know there are dozens of people camping within and around the community who need to access a warm and dry space,” said a statement from BC Housing to NanaimoNewsNOW. “There aren’t currently enough resources in Ladysmith to meet this need.”

The Ladysmith Resources Centre Association currently runs a cold weather shelter on the ground floor of the Rialto building just down the road from the Island Hotel. The shelter, funded by BC Housing, is expected to close for the year at the end of March.

The cold weather shelter offered 10 beds but had to reduce the number of spaces available due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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BC Housing said renovations of the Island Hotel are required before opening in the spring.

The first information centre on the proposed shelter is being held virtually on Feb. 10.

Ladysmith councillors can approve the temporary use permit after Feb. 16.

The temporary use permit would allow the shelter at the Island Hotel until either Feb. 16, 2022 or 90 days after B.C. lifts the state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt