The Kamloops North Shore Business Improvement Association is hoping there will be “robust community consultation” from BC Housing regarding its plans for the former Fortune Motel.

Last week, the provincial agency announced it had bought the motel with plans to initially turn it into 40 supportive housing units for people experiencing homelessness. The provincial agency is also looking to find a non-profit operator to manage the site full time.

But Jeremy Heighton, the Executive Director of the NSBIA, says the sale of the motel caught the association off guard.

“The focus of the NSBIA is the promotion and security of business interests. To this end, social and housing projects and any associated issues impact the viability and welfare of our members,” he said. “We are on the record that the NSBIA and our membership fully support a diverse health based social spectrum.”

“Our hope is that the BC Housing case managers will hold robust community consultation regarding the use and impact of the site on our community prior to issuing an RFP for operation. We believe that our community should have an opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns regarding this project.”

BC Housing said the motel will be renovated with the housing units expected to reopen in early Fall. It also said it would work with the City of Kamloops and the community on a plan for the permanent use of the property.

“The recent announcement of a new project by BC Housing on the Fortune Drive corridor, should start with effective community consultation, based on the feedback we have received from members and other stakeholders,” Heighton added. “The reality is that business owners within the North Shore, while supportive of complex care solutions, have also been negatively impacted by some of these same services over the years.”

“We want to make sure that all the groups in town, the city, the school district, neighbourhood associations, all have an opportunity to wade into this conversation and be productive in regards to what it is. Because if it is run well, if it is managed well on community impact it could be a very valuable asset to our community.”

Heighton notes he has been in contact with the regional manager of BC Housing in charge of the project, and got assurances that their goal is to work with the community.

“Their goal is to ensure that the programming – whatever programming that does go forwards will be something that will benefit community and not harm community in any way,” he added. “And so our thoughts on that are you know – is it going to be a contained site? Is it going to have 24/7 security? Does it have on-site nursing?”

“It’s not that we’re against a project it is that we don’t know what it is. So its very difficult to get onside and support or not support the project as the case may be.”