Salvation Army goes ahead with relocation
The Salvation Army has decided to proceed with plans to relocate its residence and emergency shelter to Vanier despite stiff opposition from many area residents.
The Salvation Army’s communications director, Glenn van Gulik, said Tuesday night that he is confident the not-for-profit organization’s plan for a 9,600-squaremetre multipurpose facility on Montreal Road will be a positive addition to the community.
The proposed $50-million facility, which the Salvation Army already owns, would house the organization’s emergency shelter, day programs, medical facility, addiction services and administrative offices.
As a part of the proposal for the rezoning of 333 Montreal Road, the organization would also purchase and demolish a house on Ste. Anne Avenue to provide a secondary access to the property.
Van Gulik said the organization will continue to talk to community stakeholders and representatives will attend another information session scheduled for Friday evening to hear the community’s concerns first-hand.
On Monday night, Van Gulik said he tried to attend an information meeting organized by city councillor Mathieu Fleury but had to line up with the overflow crowd of hundreds who were turned away from the Richelieu-Vanier community centre because the facility was at capacity.
“Frustration was quite (obvious) about the site selection ... and how that transpired,” Van Gulik said. “They didn’t want this in Vanier.” He said that while he was lined up outside the community centre, he tried to address residents’ concerns and questions and provide clarity about how the site will function. He said the organization is committed to continue consultations with various community groups.
“A great deal of effort has gone into making sure the challenges our clients are facing are being addressed (at the proposed site). We don’t just want to (move) the challenges to another area,” Van Gulick said.
For the past seven years, the Salvation Army has been looking for a new shelter location to replace its current one on George Street.
Fleury, who represents the ward for both the shelter’s existing location and proposed new location, has been vocal against the move.
“I think the Salvation Army isn’t listening,” Fleury said Tuesday evening.
“I asked them to take a 30-day break on their submission and they were not willing to do that,” Fleury said.
“In my mind it sends the wrong message, we want to work with (the organization).”
In response to the overwhelming community interest on Monday night, Fleury will be hosting another information session on Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus on McArthur Avenue.
Van Gulick said the Salvation Army is working to arrange two additional meetings with the Vanier Community Association and the condo owner’s association from the building across the street from the Montreal Road site.
“We would rather have a community consultation, but we’re keeping the door open,” said Lauren Touchant, who is on the board of the community association.
Touchant said the information session on Monday was a chance for the Salvation Army to listen to the community.
“It was important to check the community’s pulse.”