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City to remediate Salmon Arm encampment site, have it ready for soccer season

91ƵWe are still working on efforts to move the last camper from this location.91Ƶ

Soccer fields in Salmon Arm should be ready for the spring season, no matter the status of the south portion of what are commonly known as 91ƵSafeway fields.91Ƶ

That was the word from city staff on April 3, the same day that city crews were resurfacing with fresh gravel the parking lot adjoining the fields on 3rd Street SW.

91ƵRegardless of the status of the south portion of Safeway fields, there should be sufficient bookable field space for spring soccer. This would include Jackson field and the north section of Safeway field, which are under a joint use agreement with SD#83 (School District 83) and the multiple fields at Blackburn and Little Mountain park,91Ƶ wrote Rob Niewenhuizen, the city91Ƶs director of engineering and public works, in an April 3 email to the Observer.

Both he and Mayor Alan Harrison said on March 30 that while the city has had some success in moving the majority of campers from Safeway fields, 91Ƶwe are still working on efforts to move the last camper from this location.91Ƶ

They did not provide further details other than 91Ƶwe will keep you and the community informed,91Ƶ from Mayor Harrison.

On Monday, April 3, Niewenhuizen also wrote that the field won91Ƶt require too much remediation.

91ƵWhen the final tent is moved, City Staff will begin to clean and remediate the area where all of the campers were. The field itself is generally in good shape and does not require a lot of work; our intent and hope is that we will have this area ready for the start of soccer season.91Ƶ

Also on April 3, a couple of people who were moving belongings out of the remaining tent said they were trying to vacate the site that day. One person said some of their stuff had already been taken down to the 91Ƶdog park,91Ƶ referring to the city-owned parcel on Narcisse Street next to Peter Jannink Park. One said they have received some pretty brutal harassment from people.

Another person without a home said they would be surprised if the last tent was taken down that day. They commented on how kind and thoughtful the city crews are who have been helping other people move down to the new location.

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Back on March 15, two people who have been living rough, Franz and Duane, were warming their hands over a small fire between two tents early in the morning.

Franz said the new site would be better than what they91Ƶve had.

91ƵIt91Ƶs at least something; it91Ƶs good for now,91Ƶ he said, noting the city had put fill in the new spot and installed a porta potty. He pointed to the two large trailers the city had left for everyone at the old site, one for garbage and one for people91Ƶs belongings.

91ƵThey91Ƶre going to move all our stuff for us,91Ƶ he said, adding that crews can91Ƶt transport people because of liability.

He said he wished the new site had been set up much earlier.

Franz said he was just getting over a chest and sinus infection but was grateful it hadn91Ƶt turned into pneumonia this year. He said he went over to the shelter at the Downtown Activity Centre the night previous because the temperature was so cold. He normally stays in his tent. He said the A&W restaurant has been good because it has allowed people to stay there as long as they don91Ƶt cause any trouble. Sometimes the Salvation Army91Ƶs warming centre opens its doors at 6 a.m. instead of 9, he said, so people haven91Ƶt always had to wait three hours from the time the shelter closes. He said he91Ƶd like to volunteer there; his hope is to get back on his feet and find a job.

Over at the new Narcisse camp on March 27, tenter Bernadine said it91Ƶs been 91Ƶreally good, nice and quiet.91Ƶ

She said someone threw rocks or something at her tent, but otherwise it91Ƶs been good. People staying there have been treating each other well and she91Ƶs been sleeping pretty good.

Asked her thoughts on a 24-hour shelter, she said she would stay in it in the winter, as it gets so cold. However, she is trying to find a place and is hopeful she will be able to move indoors.

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martha.wickett@saobserver.net
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Martha Wickett

About the Author: Martha Wickett

came to Salmon Arm in May of 2004 to work at the Observer. I was looking for a change from the hustle and bustle of the Lower Mainland, where I had spent more than a decade working in community newspapers.
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