Gateway and Our Place shelters move into Vernon Curling Club

Shelters move to curling rink

Photo: Turning Points Collaborative

The Gateway and Our Place shelters have moved into the Vernon Curling Club to combat the spread of COVID-19.

When the Emergency Program Act was issued, municipalities were asked to find public spaces that could be used to house large numbers of people, if necessary. BC Housing, Interior Health, the City of Vernon and Turning Points Collaborative identified the Vernon curling rink as a potential location to combine the two shelters and put them under one roof.

"The amalgamation of these two sites into a larger facility allows for far greater physical distancing for both clients and staff," says Randene Wejr, Turning Points executive director. "This aligns with the provincial health officer's recommendation around increased physical distancing."

The curling club was chosen because of its size, available amenities and proximity to essential services. There are now 70 beds inside the rink, spaced to ensure physical distancing.

All staff have been equipped with personal protective equipment, and increased sanitation and portable hand-washing stations have been implemented. The space allows for in-house meals, laundry and showering. The use of one location also lowers the risk of disease transmission by negating staff travel between sites.

"This plan is designed to keep the virus from being transmitted from employee to resident, employee to employee and from resident to employee," says Wejr. "This is designed to keep all of us safe and healthy."

Combining the shelters also allows for more staff to be on shift, which in turn means reliable coverage if a staff member calls in sick.