Prince Albert is reinstating a key winter safety measure with the reopening of “The Meeting Place,” an overnight warm-up centre designed to provide refuge for residents facing freezing temperatures and unstable housing. The Salvation Army and the City of Prince Albert confirmed the centre will resume operations on Dec. 15, 2025, extending through April 2026 amid ongoing concerns about winter homelessness and pressure on local support services.
Now entering its second year, the centre will operate seven nights a week from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. at 900 Central Avenue. Officials say the facility offers not only warmth and shelter but also a structured, supervised environment where individuals can access support, referrals and basic services during the city’s harshest months.
The province is supplying a $260,000 grant to fund the initiative, which the partners describe as a collaborative response to increasing demand for safe overnight options. Saskatchewan winters have become a focal point for municipal and provincial planning, with temperatures capable of dropping rapidly into dangerous territory, particularly for unsheltered residents.
Minister of Social Services Terry Jenson said the province views the warm-up centre as an essential part of its broader homelessness strategy. “Our government is pleased to be supporting this important community-led initiative that provides a warm, safe place for those in immediate need of shelter in Prince Albert,” Jenson said. “Through the Provincial Approach to Homelessness, we are working together with municipal partners to focus on safe and secure support services such as those provided by The Meeting Place.”
As winter approaches, local agencies have been preparing for an expected rise in demand. Last year’s inaugural season saw consistent use of the facility, according to community organizations, who say overnight warm-up centres have become an increasingly important part of Saskatchewan’s emergency response infrastructure. The Salvation Army’s Prince Albert branch is again overseeing operations, with trained staff on site each night to ensure safety, monitor capacity and connect guests to additional resources when necessary.
Major Ed Dean of the Salvation Army said the centre fills a life-preserving role during extreme cold events, which have historically placed vulnerable residents at heightened risk. “We know that extreme cold can be life-threatening, and this centre ensures that everyone has access to a safe space overnight,” Dean said. “The Meeting Place is more than a warm building – it’s a symbol of care and community.”
City officials emphasized that while temporary facilities like The Meeting Place offer critical short-term protection, they also highlight long-term challenges around housing insecurity and the pressure on municipal services. Prince Albert Mayor Powalinsky framed the warm-up centre as one component of a larger network of supports that continues to evolve as the city confronts rising homelessness.
“The ultimate moral test of any society is how it treats its vulnerable citizens,” Mayor Powalinsky said. “The Overnight Warm-up Centre is a coordinated response between the Province of Saskatchewan, City of Prince Albert, the Salvation Army and strategic community stakeholders. This service is part of the continuing evolution of providing support for unhoused people living on our streets. Our future vision is our City no longer needing a service such as a warm-up centre.”
The city has identified homelessness as a key policy priority, noting that sustained partnerships with provincial ministries and non-profit organizations will be required to establish long-term solutions. Officials say this year’s funding will support staffing, security and supplies throughout the winter season, with ongoing assessments planned to track service usage and community impact.
The warm-up centre operates on a low-barrier model, allowing individuals to access the space without extensive intake requirements. Staff provide monitoring, basic assistance and referrals, helping connect guests to supports ranging from social services to housing outreach. Partners say the model is intended to reduce barriers during critical overnight hours when temperatures are most dangerous and other services are unavailable.
As the Dec. 15 opening approaches, local officials are preparing for what is expected to be another challenging winter. With provincial funding secured and community organizations mobilized, The Meeting Place is positioned to remain a central part of Prince Albert’s efforts to safeguard residents facing the risks of extreme cold.
The centre’s organizers say they expect usage levels comparable to last year, reflecting ongoing demand for emergency warming services. For now, the focus remains on ensuring the facility can continue to provide consistent, reliable shelter throughout the winter months—a vital lifeline for those with nowhere else to go.
