Following criticism from some members of Belleville city council this week a spokesman for the Grace Inn Shelter questions why the city would “target” a volunteer non-profit.
Chair of the Grace Inn board, Jodie Jenkins,was referring to criticism at council about the delay in opening the shelter.
Jenkins tells Quinte News some work is getting done and “councillors are just feeling the pressure in the cold weather to provide shelter for the homeless.”
He explained, “We didn’t get the building permit at the end of October, the beginning of November in 2018. Last week the interior demolition began. For the renovations, the trades and contractors have been submitting pricing and quotes and contractors have been submitting quotes and filling in the blanks of how this is going to roll out. This is a big undertaking, we have to work within the confines of the accessibility code, the fire code, the building code. We’re renovating an existing building. It’s a big project.”
He said he’s bewildered why the city would target the volunteer organization.
Jenkins added, “We’re more than happy to work with them. The door’s always open, and I should note that only Councillor (Ryan) Williams has been the only person to ever come into our building. I know that I have support from Councillor (Sean) Kelly and Councillor (Pat) Culhane as well, but the other members, no one has ever come through our doors.”
The Grace Inn is a project costing about $650,000.
Jenkins did not give an opening date. “I’m not going to guarantee timeline when it’s going to open but it’s going to open sooner than later. Once the contractors and trades line up you’re looking at a three to four month build.”
He did emphasize there will be paid overnight staff and a paid executive director at the shelter.
Some councillors had indicated it would be run by volunteers only.
Former Irish Hall, site of the Grace Inn Shelter project. (File photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
