Tent city demonstration planned for Gyro Park

Organizers of a rally today hope to give the public an advanced preview of the tent city that B.C.’s housing minister has warned could spring up in Penticton as a result of a winter shelter closing.

A group that calls itself Penticton Overdose Prevention on its Facebook page is inviting people to pitch their tents in Gyro Park on March 5 at 2 p.m.

“Please join us in taking a stand against the decision city council made to not extend this vital service in our community,” the group’s invitation states

“Bring down your tent and set it up in the park. Let’s show city council what the result of their decision will look like come April 1.”

The decision to which the group refers came Tuesday when council voted unanimously to deny extending a temporary use permit for the 42-bed winter shelter in operation at the old Victory Church.

In the aftermath of that decision, Housing Minister David Eby has suggested homeless people forced to leave the shelter April 1 may instead choose to camp in city parks where the city will have no legal authority to evict them. Eby even said BC Housing has a stockpile of 1,000 tents and sleeping bags that’s available to supply a camp in Penticton.

Attendees at today’s rally are also encouraged to bring donations for the Keep The Cold Off Penticton outreach service.

“We may have 40-plus extra people living rough on the street come the end of March. Let’s make sure we have enough warm items for them,” adds the invitation.