In a March 27 media release, Lloydminster & Vermilion for Equity (LVE) announced plans for a new resource centre aimed at supporting people experiencing housing insecurity in downtown Lloydminster. It would be located near the clock tower section of the community.
The proposed Nitôtêm Resource Centre would provide supports, programming and transitional housing, according to the organization.
Co-founder and president Tigra-Lee Campbell said the project is focused on improving access to services and creating culturally safe spaces within the community.
“The Nitôtêm Resource Centre will provide accessible supports, programming, and safe spaces for individuals experiencing housing insecurity, particularly those from Indigenous and equity-deserving backgrounds,” Campbell said.
“The vision of reducing poverty and homelessness and empowering individuals by providing necessary support and training to assist them in finding gainful employment aligns with a shared commitment to community empowerment, reconciliation, and the promotion of diversity.”
What the centre would offer
According to LVE, the proposed facility would combine daytime services with transitional housing supports.
Services outlined in the announcement include:
- A drop-in space
- Showers and laundry
- Low-cost or free counselling
- Peer support
- Life skills training
- Employment readiness programming
The building would also include two transitional housing units on the upper floor.
LVE said one unit would be used for individuals leaving detox and waiting to enter treatment, while the other would support individuals transitioning out of treatment.
“Transitional housing is an important step to get individuals off the streets and into permanent housing and employment,” Campbell said.
Not a shelter or consumption site
Organizers emphasized the centre would not operate as a shelter or supervised consumption site.
“It is important to note that this is not a safe consumption site, nor a shelter service,” the organization stated.
Instead, the centre is intended to act as a support hub offering wraparound services aimed at long-term stability.
Permit filed, not public yet
A review of the City of Lloydminster’s current development permit notices does not show any active application tied to the proposed Nitôtêm Resource Centre.
The organization says they have filed for a discretionary use/variance with the city.
Applications currently listed by the city include signage, home-based businesses, industrial uses and short-term rentals, but none that align with the type of use described in LVE’s proposal.
Projects of this nature would typically require a development permit and may be considered a discretionary use depending on zoning and operations.
At this stage, the project does not appear to have entered the city’s formal approval process.
Downtown location and engagement
LVE said it is in the process of purchasing a building and is currently engaging with surrounding businesses.
“The feedback they receive will be used to shape how the centre is operated to ensure everyone in the surrounding area has their voices heard,” the organization said.
The Nitôtêm Resource Centre is being targeted for a summer 2026 opening.
Community conversation expected
The proposed downtown location is expected to draw strong reactions as the project moves forward.
Multiple downtown business owners have contacted The Border Pulse expressing concerns about the proposed location and its potential impact, though those views have not yet been formally presented through the city’s approval process.
About LVE
Lloydminster & Vermilion for Equity provides outreach, referrals, transportation, extreme weather response and community programming for vulnerable individuals in the region.
The organization also serves as a connection point between unhoused individuals and local services.
Read more: $3 Million downtown revitalization approved
We absolutely object to allowing this in downtown Lloydminster. As a company whose livelihood is made by leasing out commercial space to downtown businesses, we ae constantly faced with the blow-back from our tenants who find the potential “client pool” harassing and panhandling customers trying to enter their businesses, to the extent that we hear first hand from people who will not support these businesses any longer for fear of being accosted by the “unhoused”. Costs have gone up substantially for lot clean-up due to rummaging through dumpsters and strewing contents around the premises, sleeping in doorways, possible and likely drug sales/abuse and setting fires. The abusive behavior at times moves into the businesses themselves and the presence of police cars and ambulances in front of businesses on a frequent basis sends the wrong message to potential shoppers and investors. Downtown is facing an adverse rental opportunity reputation because of this and property sales will continue to decline, and all the while the City keeps imposing higher and higher property taxes on us. It is unacceptable. For many years the downtown businesses were assessed a “downtown property improvement tax” above and beyond the regular property tax base and this is not the outcome we were led to believe.
I have to approve them, it was submitted, but I’m not sitting by the computer to always approve right away. Frankly, with some of the swear words etc. etc., moderation is required.