Idled Water World gym COVID day haven to homeless

With almost all of the daytime haunts of the homeless shut down because of COVID-19, the City of Windsor has opened the gymnasium at Windsor Water World as a daytime safe space.

“It’s a safe space for them to come where they can come and respect physical and social distancing requirements,” said Kelly Goz, the city’s co-ordinator of housing administration and development.

“They can either just rest, grab a granola bar, water, juice. We have got crossword puzzles and different types of activities they could do if they chose to and we also have support staff on site that if somebody wanted assistance looking for housing or connecting with another service provider they could do so as well.”

The safe space has been advertised through flyers in the community and agencies that work with the homeless have been made aware of the arrangement.

As of Friday, about 90 people have visited since the Monday opening, Goz said.

“Our outreach workers have been going out and talking with folks that we know to be experiencing homelessness and letting them know that there is an option for them at this time,” said Goz.

“With public spaces being really limited for folks and with restaurants and taverns being closed, those are really not available to them, it really was a void.”

All attendees are being screened for COVID symptoms and there is enhanced cleaning of the space being done.

Windsor Water World is located at 400 Wyandotte St. E. and the centre is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Support agencies on site include Canadian Mental Health Association, Family Services Windsor-essex, Street Outreach Team and the Community Partnership.