WINDSOR, ONT. City of Windsor officials say 35 people received shelter at the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre since it opened as a temporary emergency shelter last week. On Friday, city and frontline Downtown Mission staff, along with community partners, helped relocate residents of the mission to the temporary shelter or one of two Isolation and Recovery Centres (IRC). The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit issued an order on Feb. 19 to the Downtown Mission restricting access to new clients, city staff, support agency workers due to a COVID-19 outbreak. On Feb. 25, WECHU said there were 81 cases of the virus linked to the mission and 34 cases connected to the Salvation Army.
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After an “unprecedented amount of work” to convert the downtown aquatic centre into a temporary emergency shelter in a matter of days, displaced homeless people began moving in on Thursday.
“This has been an incredible undertaking by all involved, and I want to congratulate everyone on the work done,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said of the quick reaction following COVID-19 outbreaks at the Downtown Mission and Salvation Army and a resulting order issued by the medical officer of health severely restricting the mission’s Victoria Avenue operation.
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Dear Fellow Windsor Resident,
Events in our community over the past 11-months have forced the City of Windsor to take extraordinary measures to deal with the ever-changing landscape related to the Covid-19 global pandemic.
Provincial lockdowns that started in December mandated closure of the Windsor International Aquatic & Training Centre (WIATC) and all other indoor sport facilities for all users. I understand the rhythm an athlete finds when training on a regular schedule. I had that focus and determination myself when I was a swimmer and coached by Windsor’s own Lou Pocock. In short, I know this situation is just horrible for many of you.
Windsor s new emergency shelter to open Thursday, Downtown Mission says cbc.ca - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cbc.ca Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.