Kamloops city council has agreed to move forward with the public process for a proposed three-year extension of the North Shore Pathways Shelter, following a lengthy debate Tuesday about how residents should be heard on the issue.

The shelter at 142 Tranquille Road, funded by BC Housing and operated by ASK Wellness Society, currently operates under a temporary use permit that expires July 26, 2026. City staff have presented an option to renew the permit for another three years, potentially allowing the 44-bed emergency shelter to operate until July 2029.

Property owner says permit discussion needed

The property housing the shelter is owned by ARPA Developments, which signed a 20-month lease with BC Housing to allow the facility to open as a temporary measure while the city searched for a permanent location for a North Shore shelter.

Company principal Joshua Knaak said the temporary use permit application now before council provides an opportunity for the community to weigh in.

Knaak said while he has not been contacted directly by the province about extending the shelter’s life, he is not dismissing the idea outright and believes the discussion will give residents a chance to voice concerns about the facility and conditions in the surrounding area.

The shelter opened at the former Butler Auto and RV site on Tranquille Road after plans for the long-discussed North Shore Access Hub stalled.

Knaak noted the lease with BC Housing expires this year, and without an extension the facility would have to begin scaling down operations this summer as preparations begin for a planned commercial and housing redevelopment on the property and an adjacent parcel.

Motion for town hall discussion

Before council discussed the possibility of a permit renewal, councillors spent significant time debating whether to hold a community “town hall” meeting ahead of the formal public hearing.

Coun. Katie Neustaeter introduced a motion calling for a town hall on safety and security issues related to the shelter.

Her motion proposed the meeting be hosted by the city’s Safety and Security Committee before April 14, allowing the temporary use permit process to continue afterward without needing to restart notification.

Neustaeter described the concept as an open-floor listening session where residents could speak directly to council.

“This is truly council listening to the community — a broad community conversation,” she said during the meeting. “Yes, it will be hot. Yes, it will be loud. Yes, it is our job to stand there and listen.”

Debate over format

The proposal led to a lengthy discussion about whether such a meeting could legally occur outside the formal public hearing process.

City staff told councillors that any gathering where a quorum of council is present and information is received that could influence a later decision may legally constitute a council meeting under the Community Charter.

Several councillors questioned whether the town hall would simply duplicate the required public hearing for the permit.

Coun. Stephen Karpuk argued the standard public hearing process might be the most appropriate venue for residents to speak.

“I think we need to hear them,” he said, noting contentious issues in other communities have led to lengthy hearings. “That’s the cost of democracy.”

Other councillors expressed support for broader community engagement but raised concerns about the logistics and legal framework for such a meeting.

Motion withdrawn, formal process continues

After further discussion with staff about legislative requirements, Neustaeter ultimately withdrew her motion for a town hall.

Council instead agreed to proceed with the standard temporary use permit process, which will include a formal public hearing where residents can provide input before council makes a decision.

Hearing date still being determined

City staff said the hearing would normally be scheduled for March 24, but a larger venue may be required due to expected public interest.

However, Sandman Centre — one of the potential venues — is already booked that night for a Kamloops Blazers game, meaning April 14 is being explored as an alternative date.

Shelter operating near capacity

The Pathways Shelter was opened in late 2024 to address a shortage of shelter beds on the North Shore. According to a report prepared for council, the facility has been operating at about 95 per cent capacity and provided more than 15,000 bed-nights in its first year.

The shelter offers 44 beds, meals, and 24-hour staffing, along with connections to health services, housing supports, and community programs.

Between March and December 2025, staff reported 16 people transitioning into housing, with others accessing detox services, government identification, and health supports.

City staff say closing the facility would eliminate shelter capacity on the North Shore, potentially increasing pressure on emergency services and outreach agencies.

Council will decide whether to renew the temporary permit after the public hearing and review of community feedback.