The former Kitsaki Meats building is located along La Ronge Avenue. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

homelessness

Development permit to be issued to LLRIB for temporary shelter service

Dec 9, 2025 | 4:37 PM

The Town of La Ronge will issue a development permit to the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) to establish a temporary shelter service at the former Kitsaki Meats building.

The decision to do so was made at a regular council meeting on Monday. Following a public notice on the matter, the municipality received three letters of support from Trudy Connor, Adam Kolberg and the Tri-Community Housing Strategy. There was only one letter in opposition from nearby residents Samuel Hardlotte and Hope Fietz Hardlotte.

At the meeting, La Ronge resident and business owner Dallas Everest spoke to council and said his main concern with issuing the permit is the safety of those who are going to use the service. He asked if safeguards such as a sprinkler system would be installed.

“If we’re looking at changing the use of that building, which used to be Kitsaki Meats and now to housing people, is there going to be proper fire separation … because Drifters isn’t that too far away and I know when you start getting two buildings too close together, then you have to have proper fire separation,” Everest asked.

Coun. Abby Besharah replied it’s going to be held to every standard that every other development is held to.

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“They will not get occupancy permits without meeting the building code standards and I know the town has an interest in facilitating and helping in any way they can. If the band is willing to offer this leadership in offering this service to vulnerable folks in the community, it’s in everybody’s interest to try and help facilitate it.”

According to documents prepared by the town administration, the move will allow the LLRIB to expand its shelter area with an open concept design, which will improve safety for staff and shelter users. There will be 30 to 40 beds, and hours will be expanded for winter from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., and from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m.

The band is currently offering the temporary service at the Silver Building in Morin’s Hill. LLRIB Coun. Ann Ratt previously told larongeNOW the band has already done work to prepare the space, noting it is a better location than where the service is now.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com