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Put empty public buildings in city to more positive use

On Jan. 31, an article in the Advocate on our women’s shelter, and the increasing need for a bigger shelter detailed cost that is out of this world.Why not recycle?

On Jan. 31, an article in the Advocate on our women’s shelter, and the increasing need for a bigger shelter detailed cost that is out of this world.

Why not recycle?

We have abandoned buildings left empty at Michener Centre, some seven to eight buildings. Most have open stalls or divided cubicles. They include space for living for disabled persons, community bathrooms, storage, dining areas, stainless steel kitchens, sitting rooms, entertainment centres for gatherings, craft rooms. Some have private rooms, quite open and easy to renovate.

The cost to keep these buildings is unreal. Why not make use of them and save costs as well as the pay to babysit empty buildings from vandals?

There are two empty nursing homes that can be made to accommodate families. All have private baths per room plus central dining room, social centre for gatherings, storage space, craft rooms, has or had intercom, main switchboard, security locked down.

Why build at a cost of $9 million when land and buildings are available?

They could even have some furniture as they were furnished.

Should include a medical office, stand-by nursing, support staff, cleaning staff for main areas. Families should keep their living space clean according to the rules. All have to do their part to make it work for all.

With all of this space waiting to be used, we could include our street people. The Action Bus could help to place them, and have a place to stay and be safe, make it a home.

It would be a way to help each other, and stop the extra spending when we can make do.

Let’s go for it.

Irene M. Kinzel, RN

Red Deer

We have abandoned buildings left empty at Michener Centre, some seven to eight buildings. Most have open stalls or divided cubicles. They include space for living for disabled persons, community bathrooms, storage, dining areas, stainless steel kitchens, sitting rooms, entertainment centres for gatherings, craft rooms. Some have private rooms, quite open and easy to renovate.

The cost to keep these buildings is unreal. Why not make use of them and save costs as well as the pay to babysit empty buildings from vandals?

There are two empty nursing homes that can be made to accommodate families. All have private baths per room plus central dining room, social centre for gatherings, storage space, craft rooms, has or had intercom, main switchboard, security locked down.

Why build at a cost of $9 million when land and buildings are available?

They could even have some furniture as they were furnished.

Should include a medical office, stand-by nursing, support staff, cleaning staff for main areas. Families should keep their living space clean according to the rules. All have to do their part to make it work for all.

With all of this space waiting to be used, we could include our street people. The Action Bus could help to place them, and have a place to stay and be safe, make it a home.

It would be a way to help each other, and stop the extra spending when we can make do.

Let’s go for it.

Irene M. Kinzel, RN

Red Deer