BC Housing has confirmed that the SEAPARC leisure complex, a recreation centre in Sooke will be temporarily converted into shelter spaces for vulnerable populations to be able to safely self isolate on Vancouver Island during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an email to Victoria Buzz, BC Housing spokesperson Laura Mathews says the facility has the capacity to house 45 people — 30 indoors and 15 tents outside.
BC Housing partnered with the CRD to open up the facility for use as an emergency shelter, and a referral process to identify individuals who will accommodate the shelter spaces is being developed by Island Health.
See also: Victoria seeks more hotel rooms for homeless as Topaz Park reaches capacity
The facility will be run by the Sooke Region Communities Health Network with resources and services provided by the Sooke Shelter Society, AVI Health and Community Services Society and public health nurses.
“They are experienced in working with vulnerable populations and will be able to ensure physical distancing,” reads the statement from Mathews. “They will provide access to healthy meals and hygiene facilities, including showers and regular hand washing.”
Sooke Region Communities Health Network is currently in the process of hiring staff and determining the number of staff members required to manage the site.
“While it is not the first emergency response centre in B.C., SeaParc Arena is the first community centre on the Island to be used as an emergency response centre,” says Mathews.
“We are considering other community sites in Victoria and on the Island and have secured spaces in hotels where people who are vulnerable are able to self-isolate.”
Thus far, 260 indoor spaces across four sites have been secured in Victoria for unsheltered people to be able to self-isolate. There is also a designated encampment at Topaz Park occupied by the city’s homeless population.
The SEAPARC facility is expected to open for use as a homeless shelter within one or two weeks once staff have been secured and will remain in operation until June 30th, 2020.
See all the latest updates about the global COVID-19 pandemic on Vancouver Island
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 2,633,064.
Over 183,800 people have died from the illness and 717,220 have made a full recovery.
