Delton Sylvain, manager of the Meadow Lake Homeplate Shelter Coalition Corp. He is also part of the Meadow Lake Outreach Ministries.The building of the shelter is located at 105 3rd Avenue East in Meadow Lake. (Submitted photo/ Delton Sylvain)

By Kenneth Cheung

ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT

‘More hope for homeless people’: Meadow Lake moves to adjust shelter operation rules

Sep 12, 2025 | 12:49 PM

A zoning change in Meadow Lake is raising hopes for people without housing, as city council takes the first step toward making shelter rules less restrictive and allowing year-round operation.

“That means there is more hope for homeless people,” said Delton Sylvain, who manages the Home Plate Shelter Coalition Corp.

“That’s a very fundamental structure for someone…having a shelter, having a place where it’s safe, where someone can eat and have all their basic services.”

Council voted Monday to give first reading to Bylaw No. 05/2025, which would ease zoning restrictions on temporary emergency shelters in the downtown mixed-use zone.

The bylaw was first amended in 2022 to allow a local shelter to open, but limited operations to six months at a time and restricted use to overnight hours only.

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City manager Amanda Flasch said the new amendment is designed to give the shelter more flexibility.

“It’s been determined that our bylaw might be a little bit restrictive and prevent them operating in a manner that supports the needs of the community,” she said.

“So the zoning amendment that went to the meeting reflects some changes to be a little bit more flexible in that regard for that type of operation.”

If approved, the shelter could operate year-round and expand to offer daytime services, including showers, laundry, and a safe space during the day.

“In addition, provision of a safe warm space in daytime will reduce the instances of loitering in less desirable locations during cold weather,” administration noted in its report to council.

A public hearing is set for Oct. 6. Council is expected to consider second and third readings at meetings that follow.

Right now, the shelter has a capacity for up to 17 people and also offers meals, workshops, intake support and help with paperwork such as driver’s licences. Sylvain said the local homeless population remains high, with more than 50 people affected when couch-surfing and transitional housing are included.

The city’s current population is about 5,300.

Council also accepted the shelter’s invitation to place one of its members on the board, with Coun. Mauri Young volunteering.

Flasch said, “We’re supportive of having the shelter operate in our community. We think it’s a great opportunity to join their board and have some council representation on it.”

Sylvain said the move will strengthen ties with city hall.

“It helps the city itself to have a better perspective of what’s going on within the shelter and how things are going on a monthly basis. I think it’s very important.”

Regarding the shelter’s request for funding support, Flasch said the city is “going through some more information gathering before council makes a decision.”

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com