(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Needing Support

Dave Steuart Arena eyed as temporary shelter location

Apr 19, 2025 | 4:34 PM

A solution may be in the works for a new temporary homeless shelter in Prince Albert.

The city has received a Development Permit Application from the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation. If approved, the Steuart Arena would be used as a shelter from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027 while the location and construction of a permanent shelter are finalized.

The city’s current 45 bed temporary shelter under the grandstand on the Exhibition grounds (Stepping Stones) is scheduled to be closed on May 15. The YWCA Prince Albert cited safety issues at the current location as the reason for closing. Backlash from the community along with the four-year battle in finding a location also factored into the decision. Overcrowding at the temporary shelter also meant the 10 women on average each night who used the shelter could not be separated from the other 35 beds being used by men and that was a deterrent to some of the women who felt unsafe.

The YWCA had initially submitted a development permit to use the Steuart arena as a temporary shelter, but pulled the application.

YWCA Our House shelter CEO Donna Brooks said the province agreed to fund 10 low barrier enhanced shelter beds for women. They will be moved to the lower level of YWCA’s Our House and the organization will focus on their current services providing emergency shelter for women, children and youth.

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“This move will allow for a much safer environment for the women we serve and is consistent with other YWCAs across Canada,” said Brooks.

Meanwhile, the Government of Saskatchewan, who is now named on the development permit, is committed to finding a spot for the other temporary 35 male beds and will be seeking another service provider.

At a special meeting on Tuesday at 4 p.m., the city will consider submissions regarding the new application and review criteria.

Minor Hockey’s stance

Prince Albert Minor Hockey would like operations at the arena to continue as is, and are asking for the public to rally with them as they head to city hall on Tuesday to plead their case.

“While the upcoming Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre will add two new rinks, the data clearly shows that the Steuart Arena remains essential to meet the current and growing demands of minor hockey and the wider community,” they said in an email.

Along with a needed roof repair, the Dave G. Steuart Arena needs larger dressing rooms. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

City Council first recommended that the arena be closed back in February 2023, following the opening of the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre in The Yard District. They voted in favour of closing it later that week.

Less than a month later, the city changed its tone and rather than closing the arena, the city’s administration recommended that the arena no longer be used for hockey and instead be considered for other uses.

During the Feb. 3 council meeting, Ward 1 Coun. Daniel Brown was vocal in his wish for the city to keep the arena as a functioning ice surface.

“I’m still going to fight to keep this rink a viable option for this city. I’m looking forward to hearing from P.A. Minor Hockey and the other user groups that use that rink. I do think it’s vital to hockey and kids in these residences,” he said.

READ MORE: Future of Dave Steuart arena draws debate during budget talks

Included in the email on Friday were five “key reasons” from P.A. Hockey highlighting why the arena must remain open:

• Over $150,000 annually is being spent by families at out-of-town facilities due to limited local ice availability.
• 417 additional hours of ice could be utilized by teams annually if more local ice were available.
• Tournaments and extended league schedules are at risk without more consistent access to reliable, artificial ice.
• The arena supports more than just hockey, including public skating, figure skating, speed skating, and other community groups.
• Repair costs are reasonable, with recent quotes reportedly as low as $100,000 — a small investment to maintain a vital community asset.

– with files from Susan McNeil and Nigel Maxwell, paNOW Staff

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

On Bluesky: @loganlehmann.bsky.social