Temporary Emergency Shelter At The Aquatic Centre Set To Close

Hello time traveller!!
This article is 1129 days old.
The information listed below is likely outdated and has been preserved for archival purposes.

The City of Windsor and partners operating the Temporary Emergency Shelter in the Aquatics Centre are set to start the transition of residents back to the Downtown Mission.

As the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has lifted the previous closure Order against the Downtown Mission and the quarantine period is now complete, the transition of COVID free residents from the temporary emergency shelter will begin on Thursday, March 25th, 2021.

“I want to congratulate our city staff, Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO), the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Family Services Windsor Essex (FSWE), Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) and all the Downtown Mission staff involved for the work done to open and operate this temporary emergency shelter”, said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “From transforming an aquatics centre into an emergency shelter, to ensuring individuals experiencing homelessness had a safe place to stay, to helping facilitate vaccinations with our Emergency Medical Services, this has been an incredible effort.”

The transformation of the facility began on Sunday February 21st, 2021 and the first guests were welcomed into TESAC on Thursday February 25th, 2021. During that time over 160 emergency shelter residents across all sites were provided shelter, meals, and tested for COVID-19 and over 150 residents received a COVID-19 vaccination.

The transition back to the Downtown Mission will take place over the coming days with approximately 20 relocating each day.

It is expected the TESAC will be completely empty and closed by Monday March 29th, 2021, and city staff will begin the process of returning the site to its former state. Once the Government of Ontario adjusts Windsor-Essex within the Reopening Framework to permit recreation services, the Aquatics Centre may be able to re-open, consistent with public health recommendations.