What’s The Future Of Sprung Structure: DEVINE
This is Knoxdale-Merivale Councillor Sean Devine’s notice of motion concerning the post-refugee status of Nepean’s sprung structure:
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Future Use of the Newcomer Reception Centre
Moved by / Motion de: Councillor Devine
Seconded by / Appuyée par: Councillor Dudas
WHEREAS on November 7th, 2024, Community & Social Services staff, acting on Council’s delegated authority, recommended 1645 Woodroffe Avenue in Ward 9 (Knoxdale-Merivale) to be the location of the first Newcomer Reception Centre for the temporary housing of asylum seekers; and
WHEREAS the Newcomer Reception Centre system will help take pressure off Ottawa’s conventional shelter system and address the immediate increasing need for appropriate support for asylum seekers; and
WHEREAS the recommended site at 1645 Woodroffe is immediately adjacent to the Nepean Sportsplex, one of Ottawa’s most heavily used recreational facilities; and
WHEREAS the specific location of the Newcomer Reception Centre will result in the long-term loss of a sports field; and
WHEREAS the Newcomer Reception Centre is to be built in the form of a modular, pre fabricated building structure, which has a potential life span of 25 years; and
WHEREAS residents across Ward 9 have expressed concerns about uncertainty over the long-term future use of the pre-fabricated building structure, and the impact that the Newcomer Reception Centre may have on the Nepean Sportsplex and its capacity to provide recreational programming in the area; and
WHEREAS the costs to procure, build and operate the Newcomer Reception Centre would be paid for through federal funding from IRCC’s IHAP program but the City of Ottawa will be permanent owner of the facility; and
WHEREAS the proposed development of a pre-fabricated building structure offers a unique opportunity to integrate a multi-purpose facility that can be easily reconfigured and repurposed to support community and/or recreational activities once its initial use as a Newcomer Reception Centre is concluded; and
WHEREAS other municipalities and jurisdictions already use pre-fabricated building structures for a wide range of community, recreational, and other public uses;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT city staff update Council and Committee on the Newcomer Reception Centre system, including the purchase and development of the pre-fabricated building structure, as part of the next Integrated Transition to Housing Strategy update report in 2025; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT within two years of the opening of the Newcomer Reception Centre at 1645 Woodroffe, city staff provide a review to Committee and Council on the results of the program, as well as a re-evaluation of the need to continue using the structure as part of the Newcomer Reception Centre system; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT any future use of the pre-fabricated building structure once the needs of the Newcomer Reception Centre are fulfilled prioritize recreational uses (e.g. pickleball courts, basketball courts, art studios, etc); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT any future use of the pre-fabricated building structure be determined only after comprehensive engagement and consultation with local communities and the local Ward Councillor.
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I’m surprised that his third-last resolved, the one asking for an update in two years, is so time-limited. He’s only asking for a single update. I would have added “and annually thereafter” so they would have to update Committee and Council indefinitely on its status for as long as the structure is used as a shelter for asylum seekers.
My suspicion is that, in years to come, the City may well shift local, homeless individuals into the Sprung structure as it empties of its intended audience. I would be asking the City to report back on any change in composition of the user group in the structure as well on an ongoing basis.
I agree with previous commenter. Transition tio Housing gives it away. Until and unless an unfortunate conditional commitment is made not to put homeless into those structures, they are not acceptable to communities as currently slated. Also note that there is no commitment to incorporate or adjust to community input.
Three observations.
This almost 500 run on sentence is symptomatic of the sclerosis that is city hall procedure. I realize it is standard operating protocol, and that is the problem. It could have been boiled down to a 10-20 word sentence.
The two year time frame for reporting back to council falls well after the money from IRCC IHAP will have been received. It would be about a year after the structure is built. Most importantly, if staff come back with a “sorry but we can’t use it for recreational purposes”, it is too late to do anything about it.
Which brings me back to the big point. This is just another exercise in appearing to care about the community. A lot of words to make it look like Councillor Devine is doing something, when he in fact is doing nothing of substance. IF Councillor Devine wants to demonstrate clearly that he regrets his complicity in the circumvention of good governance, he would ask council to approve a resolution that defers further action on the file UNTIL staff reports back.