Development permit for okimaw peyesew kamik approved
Posted June 16, 2023 12:04 pm.
Construction can now begin on a new location for Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS).
The organization that supports Edmonton’s vulnerable population announced Thursday that the Class A development permit for okimaw peyesew kamik (King Thunderbird Centre) has been approved by the Subdivision Development and Appeal Board.
The facility will be located at 100th Street and 107A Avenue, BSCS purchasing the land with the sale of their old building near Rogers Place to the Oilers Entertainment Group along with a $10M donation from the Edmonton Oiler Community Foundation.
The new centres permit was previously revoked in November over concerns about the centres impact on the community, namely its proximity to the Victoria School of the Performing Arts as well as other nearby shelters.
BSCS has long stressed the King Thunderbird Centre is not a shelter, but a purpose-built facility to create better health outcomes for the growing number of Edmontonians experiencing houselessness or requiring social supports
“This project coming together represents all the hard work that our community has put in to make something that is beautiful and welcoming for those we serve,” says Jordan Reiniger, Executive Director of Boyle Street Community Services in a news release.
“We are so grateful for our community partners and the many individuals and organizations that have stepped up and are working to make this a reality. This is an essential next step in our mission to end chronic homelessness, and another step forward for our vision of building strong, accepting, and respectful communities.”
The centre is slated to open in the fall of 2024 and has currently raised 80 per cent of their $28.5M campaign goal.
