Initial worries about London's golf course homeless shelter have not materialized
Like a golfer making the turn after the ninth hole, this week marks the halfway point for the temporary winter shelter at Fanshawe Golf Course.
The municipal course’s clubhouse was converted into a winter shelter and rapid re-housing program for Londoners who were living in tents or makeshift structures.
Operated by Impact London, construction trailers converted into small bedrooms now face the front of clubhouse which offers common space, bathrooms, and programming until March 1, 2022.
Despite initial apprehension, neighbour Ed Lukas says things have gone smoothly, “I’m aware of them, but they have not affected my lifestyle, or anybody on this street.”
The shelter is housing 27 individuals in 26 rooms, just shy of the 33 person capacity (30 rooms).
“We do see the numbers climbing up every couple of days,” explains Craig Cooper, the city’s Director of Housing Stability. “I expect the site to be full in the next couple days or so.”
The remote location in the northeast corner of the city raised eyebrows when it was announced last fall.
However, safety concerns that residents might walk along busy roads or enter Fanshawe Lake have not materialized, according to Cooper.Instead the slower pace of life outside of the downtown core and Old east Village has given residents time to stabilize.
“Some social housing and private market housing, so we hope to have some successful move in in a week or so,” says Cooper.
External agencies that had planned to bring support services to the site are now doing it remotely because of the risks posed by the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
The shelter has managed to avoid an outbreak.Fanshawe Golf Course has been converted into a shelter and rapid re-housing program for Londoners currently living in tents, Nov. 30, 2021. (Daryl Newcombe / CTV News)
A second temporary shelter proposed at the former River Road Golf Course faced opposition from several neighbours until a fire and subsequent arson charge forced its relocation.
The winter shelter at the Fanshawe course, however, has proven to be a positive use for an under-utilized space during the winter says neighbour Ed Lukas.
“It’s a city property, so to find a use for it is a good thing,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.