Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

DROP-IN SERVICE AVAILABILITY

The Loop drop-in facility’s future uncertain as move-out date approaches

Jul 9, 2024 | 2:51 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Loop drop-in facility has been offering itself as a cooling centre this week, but as July comes to a close, the operation says it still doesn’t have a new home in place.

The building at 405 Tranquille Road was purchased earlier this year, and The Loop operator Glenn Hilke says he was told by the new owner that the operation would have to be out by July 31.

“Our city cannot go without a drop-in centre as of August 1,” he stresses, “and so our philosophy right now is to keep talking and stay open by any means necessary.”

Hilke says The Loop doesn’t have another central location it can move to where people in need can easily access. The City does not have the proposed Access Hub facility yet, which would serve as a one-stop-shop by offering a number of drop-in services for people.

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“Right now for people to access services, they might as well think about themselves as a decathlon athlete in the Olympics, right? Ten different needs, 10 different places to go,” Hilke explains. “It’s got to be central and something has got to happen real quick otherwise we’re going to see a real crisis — much more so than we have right now.”

In the meantime, Hilke says The Loop is hoping to explore options with social service agencies and non-profits around the city, faith groups, Interior Health and the City of Kamloops to see if there’s any way for a drop-in facility to stay open.