A group of ten guests from one temporary homeless shelter in Windsor decided Wednesday to take the mayor up on his offer for accommodations at the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre.
They walked from the former Central Library Branch on Ouellette Avenue to the Aquatic Centre to receive a rapid test for COVID-19. Mayor Drew Dilkens said if they test negative they will be allowed to stay at the Aquatic Centre.
The walk is the latest development in a growing tiff over operations at the temporary shelter at the old library.
Reverend Ron Dunn, executive director at the Downtown Mission, said he opened the shelter only after the city indicated it had no room for 36 people who were turned away from the shelter at the Aquatic Centre. He insisted he was told the city had no place for them to stay, but a media release from city officials said it has room for everyone who needs a place to stay the night. They also said accommodations at the old library are unauthorized and the shelter there should close.
Dunn told BlackburnNewsWindsor.com his understanding was the order was to not take any more admissions. He also insisted he will not close the library location so long as anyone is forced to sleep on the street.
"If the 30 people who showed up [at the library] last night get housed today, that would be awesome," he said. "If somebody shows up tomorrow, what happens to them? Where is the emergency shelter?"
The Downtown Mission's building closed last month because of an outbreak of COVID-19.
Across the county, Medical Officer of Health Doctor Wajid Ahmed attempted to explain the logic behind the order.
"The intention is to support this population," said Ahmed. "The intention is not to lay charges on [Dunn] or to issue a fine. The intention is to keep the people safe who are accessing the facility and ensuring if there is any risk, how those risks are mitigated."
He said the biggest concern was social distancing at the shelter.
Meanwhile, Dunn responded to comments that he has "gone rogue."
"We're not rogue. We're doing what's right," said Dunn. "This is about 30 people with no place to go."
