City of Thunder Bay drops Kam River Heritage Park as site for shelter village

Kam River Heritage Park is no longer a "viable location" for Thunder Bay's proposed shelter village, according to a memo from city administration going to city councillors on Monday.

Councillors previously approved the site for the location of the village, which will include sleeping cabins.

However, the memo from Director of Strategy and Engagement Cynthia Olsen states that the city has determined that it would be cost-prohibitive to ensure the site — which borders on the Kaministiquia River and a Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CPKC) rail yard — is safe.

"The assessment is nearing completion and it has become clear that although the mitigation measures required to satisfy external partners are technically feasible, their cumulative cost exceeds the project's available budget," the memo states.

At-large Coun. Kasey Etreni said Friday that the river and rail yard are concerns when it comes to safety.

"With the river there, although we could fence, how far along do you put the fence?" she said. "With security and safety you have to have more than one entrance, and how do you lock an entrance and only use it for emergency purposes?"

In a statement to CBC News on Friday, a CPKC spokesperson said the rail company "strongly objects" to the Kam River park site "due to the significant and predictable increased safety risks posed by its proximity to the rail yard."

"CPKC Police Service has extensive experience in addressing housing and temporary shelters by railyards and rail lines," the statement reads. "They create significant safety hazards. These can and sometimes sadly do lead to fatalities and railway related incidents. We have already documented high levels of trespassing, vandalism, illegal activities (e.g., substance use, fires) and mischief in the Kam River Park area."

The statement goes on to say that having more people walking around and near the proposed site will increase these risks, "especially given the fact that the most direct access to the proposed village is through accessing CPKC property and crossing over railway tracks to do so."

The company has requested the city choose a different site for the village.

Etreni is tabling a motion to rescind the earlier site approval on Monday. It will require two-thirds of council to vote in favour.

The motion also directs administration to review alternate locations for the village. A number of sites have previously been considered by the city and city council, including locations on Miles Street East, a plot of land on Fort William Road owned by the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority, and a spot on Cumberland Street North, next to the Salvation Army's Journey to Life Centre.

"I'm hoping by Monday that they will be able to announce another site," Etreni said.

The city has said that it has budgeted about $5.5 million for construction of the village, which would include up to 80 cabins, and $1.5 million annually for operating costs.

However, if the city meets certain timelines, it will be eligible for $2.8 million in external funding.

"The funding is contingent upon the completed buildings by December 31 and have ... demonstrated that we have partial occupancy by that date as well," she said. "I think we can still do it."