Boyle Street Community Services looks to clear up misconceptions amid relocation

Hundreds of Edmontonians are voicing their concerns as Boyle Street Community Services relocates its facility.

Residents in the neighbourhood feel the change would endanger children attending Victoria School and are calling on the city, Boyle Street, and Edmonton Public Schools to reverse course.

One person opposing the move through an online petition says the decision demonstrates the city choosing the ice districts’ profitability over public safety, adding it will stop the community’s revitalization.

Another commenting they fear the proximity of the centre will lead to frequent lockdowns and threatening security breaches at the school.

However, Elliott Tanti says he is looking to clear up misconceptions surrounding Boyle Street moving only two blocks north of its current location.

Tanti says misconceptions around Boyle Street impact the centre’s perception, and that people seek out the centre for safety, rather than to participate in dangerous activities.

“Boyle Street’s been an active and engaged partner of our downtown community for over 50 years, and we’re a part of the solution,” Tanti said.

“As an organization, we pride ourselves on helping the most marginalized and vulnerable in our communities, and the people that we serve are not the perpetrators of violence, but actually the victims of it.”

In a statement, Edmonton Public Schools sided with the move, saying the effectiveness of the program and its safe rollout are dependent on cooperative effort across the board.

The move to the new facility isn’t set to happen until next fall, and thorough consultations and community engagement opportunities with all parties involved will continue taking place.

Boyle street representatives are encouraging parents and families with children at Victoria school to attend the public meeting which will be held at the school on October 26 at 7 p.m.