The encampment has been located at the space for at least a couple of months. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

relocation

La Ronge council wants to evict homeless encampment from Riese Park

May 11, 2022 | 5:17 PM

The days could be numbered for the homeless encampment located at Riese Park in La Ronge.

A motion was carried at a regular town council meeting on Tuesday to permit overnight camping in a wooded area between the La Ronge Health Centre and the nearby post office. That location was chosen out of alternative options to allow the encampment to remain downtown or be relocated to the Finlayson Street snow dump.

Councillors Matt Klassen, Joe Hordyski, Jordan McPhail and Viviana Ruiz-Arcand all voted for the encampment to be removed from Riese Park, while Coun. Ryan Veteri wanted it to remain. Mayor Colin Ratushniak and Coun. Abby Besharah were not present and did not vote.

“I think it should be behind the post office if anything,” Klassen said. “It will be a little bit more out of the public eye and a little bit farther from residential area, then we are not losing a park on the waterfront and I just think it would be much better. It’s further away and it’s not like it’s a far distance for them to walk to the services they need.”

Klassen also noted there have been reports of indecency occurring at the current location and how it has only become a problem this year. He added if council were to decide to allow the encampment to remain in Riese Park, it will likely increase and become a permanent space for overnight camping.

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Veteri told council Riese Park would be the best spot because it is close to the services the homeless population needs and the people living there might not move when asked.

“The only thing I don’t agree with is taking it out of the public eye because then that’s saying the public wants to hide what’s visible within the community. We have a homeless issue in our community,” Veteri said. “I do think, too, if we set them up somewhere else and spend the money there, they will go back down there anyways, so it would be a waste of money setting it up somewhere else.”

The cost of permitting overnight camping in Riese Park is estimated to cost $24,000 including $15,000 for a privacy fence, $8,800 per year for a portable washroom and $800 for waste bins and fire pits. The treed area chosen by council is expected to be a less expensive option.

In recent weeks, town administration consulted with the Scattered Site, Kikinahk Friendship Centre and Tri-Community Homeless Shelter Inc. about the matter. The general consensus between the three groups was the encampment should remain at Riese Park. Scattered Site staff spoke with encampment residents who expressed a desire to stay at the location.

Administration is now tasked with developing a parks bylaw and to reach out to Air Ronge and Lac La Ronge Indian Band leadership on how and if they want to assist with the issue.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno