The Mayor of Kamloops says he’s aware of the many concerns that have been raised when it comes to a 40-bed shelter at 600 Kingston Avenue, near the Halston bridge.

A number of residents have come forward saying they are concerned because they were not consulted before the project was announced three weeks ago.

Speaking during Tuesday’s council meeting, Ken Christian says people will be able to voice those concerns directly to BC Housing next Wednesday, Dec. 8.

“They don’t consult about property issues as they are purchasing them,” he said. “They release it afterwards and we have been working with BC Housing to make that opportunity available to the citizens of Kamloops.”

“Its a topic of conversation that I’m sure that they are alive to and those issues for yourself and your neighbours should be able to be fully canvassed next week in that public consultation session.”

A portion of the fence around the property was toppled over this week, though it is not clear who was responsible. There were also signs put up on the fence reading “Do not allow this shelter to be built! The time is now, fight back.”

Minutes from two closed council meetings released shows that Kamloops City Council voted in favour authorizing the Kingston Avenue lease to BC Housing on July 20, at a cost of $1 per year for three years, with the option to extend the lease for two one-year terms.

Council Denis Walsh was opposed, while Mayor Christian and councillors Dale Bass, Dieter Dudy, Mike O’Reilly, Bill Sarai, Kathy Sinclair and Arjun Singh all voted in favour. Councillor Sadie Hunter recused herself citing a conflict of interest related to her then-employment at A Way Home Kamloops.

Christian says consultation sessions will also be held on two other proposed shelters in Kamloops. The first is a 25-bed one at Stuart Wood School downtown with a session set to take place on Dec. 7, while the second is a a 50-bed shelter at the former Greyhound bus depot in Sahali, with the session set for Dec. 15.

“There will be an extended question and answer period with a professional facilitator so those opportunities for the public are now available and I would encourage members of the public with questions about these facilities as to how they are going to be operated to avail themselves of that opportunity,” Christian added.

All three shelters will be managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association with operational support from Out of the Cold.