A number of homeless people making a crude refuge in the downtown Pavilion were recently kicked out of the structure for their own safety, said Mayor Ian Sutherland in a letter to United Church Minister Daniel Bogert-O'Brien, who criticized the move.On Jan. 29, as heavy snow formed a cold blanket on the streets and sidewalks, a group of about five homeless people took shelter in the Pavilion. With a maximum capacity of 10 people in the Extreme Weather Shelter on Third Avenue, the space doubles as makeshift lodging for those in need."[The shelter] has been forced to close its doors to many of our homeless after reaching its capacity," said Bogert-O'Brien, who is also a member of the Squamish Downtown Neighbourhood Association. "The expulsion of those who found shelter at the Pavilion was a particularly harsh move by the District of Squamish given the lack of any alternatives in the community."Sutherland said he fears the ailing structure could collapse. It has not had a safety inspection since May 2006, when an engineer said it was at the end of its life and is missing two support structures."The current use by transients poses a risk to them. During a storm when wind warnings and poor weather are imminent, the already unsafe condition becomes unacceptable and an eviction absolutely necessary," he said.Despite these problems, the district has not found it necessary to prevent general public use of the Pavilion. Not only is it regularly explored by families and community members visiting the park, it also continues to be a stage for bands that play during events such as Canada Day celebrations.Sy Bains, who was visiting friends at the Pavilion that night, said kicking the group out only served the district."It was for their own safety," Bains said, noting the district doesn't want to be left with a lawsuit in the case of a collapse. He said it was "freezing" outside when the Pavilion occupants were asked to leave.Rod Searle, who was also at the Pavilion that night said he is tired of seeing the homeless community mistreated."I feel that the people are all being looked down on but these people aren't doing anything illegal whatsoever," he said. "They have no where to go do you know what it's like to walk around with wet shoes, wet clothes and nowhere to go?"According to Sutherland's letter, homeless people aggravate the structure's problems by burrowing under it."We understand that the persons occupying the space under the Pavilion have been digging and otherwise establishing further comfort, which may have further undermined the integrity of an already failing structure."However, the district is making efforts to provide an alternative for those people the RCMP evicts.On Feb. 5 council instructed district staff to look into ways the Extreme Weather Shelter can be improved to accommodate more than 10 people. They also made a request for the Squamish Ministerial Association to make a church hall available to individuals during extreme weather.
