More money for Caledonia Park shower program as City looks for long-term location

City of Nanaimo social planner Christy Wood said the demand for the program has continued to grow since it was first implemented in 2018.

“We may maintain the hours with the current operating hours, or expand the operating hours by one hour from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m., so this expansion would allow more access to shower program users without displacing the current other recreational users that are using Caledonia Park.”

The showers are currently open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m., with an additional hour included for clean-up.

According to the report, approximately 26 people use the showers daily, with on-site staff reportedly turning away at least one or more people every day.

The cost per person is $12 per shower, which includes water, power, and provided materials like soap, shampoo, and clean towels, with each user allowed 15 minutes per shower.

The cost of operations is split, with the City funding three hours of operation while the Church funds the remaining two.

Temporary solution
Wood said the implementation of this plan in 2018 was a temporary measure to address the lack of service until a more permanent option could be established.

“That’s important to note because unfortunately, the shower facilities at Caledonia Park were not designed to accommodate this high volume of users. So in order to continue to use Caledonia Park, even as a temporary location for the shower program, the building will require upgrades to the electrical and hot water tanks, as well as ongoing maintenance just due to the high volume of use.”

Plans were also approved to add a $25,000 project to the 2024 budget for building upgrades and improvements, while also working with other community partners to find long-term solutions for free shower services, also funded through the strategic infrastructure reserve fund.

Wood said long-term use of the program at Caledonia Park would require significant capital improvements.

Council concerns
Counc. Ian Thorpe shared his concern about the park being used for purposes other than what it was built for; recreation opportunities for the community.

“By increasing shower hours, we are taking away potentially, if not in fact, hours of other users use at that facility. So that does concern me, and I’m pleased to see point four in your recommendation about working with other community partners to look for other options so that… we can allow the City to return the Caledonia Park building to its originally intended use. To me, that is important and I don’t think we can lose sight of that. So with that concern much in my mind, I will support the motion.”

General manager of parks, recreation and culture Richard Harding confirmed the park is getting increased use by community groups for recreational reasons.

He said this budget increase isn’t a long-term solution for the shower program, with City staff tasked with providing any alternate, long-term locations to council in the fall of 2024.

Other options were considered, including implementing a shower program at other city facilities, or purchasing mobile showers, something communities like Maple Ridge and West Kelowna have done.

Both options would be much more expensive than continuing the program at Caledonia Park.

Representatives of the Reaching Home Nanaimo Community Advisory Board requested the shower program be expanded in March after Island Health reported a sharp increase in cases of head and body lice in the unhoused population earlier this year.

A full list of services and supports provided by the City of Nanaimo can be found here on their website.

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by Jordan Davidson

More money for Caledonia Park shower program as City looks for long-term location

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