(Image Credit: Curtis Goodrum / CFJC Today)

By Curtis Goodrum

Pathways shelter

Same Sky Collective operator speaks against potential closure of Pathways shelter

Mar 17, 2026 | 5:33 PM

KAMLOOPS – The Pathways shelter has been in the spotlight over the past few weeks, with some members from the North Shore business community calling for the facility to be shut down.

Lana Fine, the artistic director of the Same Sky Collective Society, says recent polling done by the North Shore BIA does not represent the feelings of all North Shore businesses.

The Same Sky Collective Society is a non-profit art studio that helps many unhoused or less privileged people get opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have.

“Giving the opportunity for artists to come and display their art and allowing them to take 70 per cent of profits, leaving us with the remaining 30 per cent. It’s difficult to keep the lights on that way, but we just have incredible support from other businesses in the North Shore, as well as the people who live here,” said Fine. 

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The store runs multiple groups that pay members for their time. Fine says this helps empower many of the store’s artists.

“Any services that are delivered need to be from the perspective of those who will use the services. Otherwise, the barriers that are in place are the reasons why people don’t feel comfortable accessing those services. There’s just an incredible amount of wisdom and insight the folks who are often not included have to provide,” said Fine. 

A recent report that came out of the North Shore BIA says 86 per cent of businesses on the 100- and 200-blocks of Tranquille Road don’t support Pathways. Fine says getting rid of the shelter may have negative consequences.

“There’s no backup plan. It’s just, do you support it? Yes or no? And the answer ‘no’ is kicking people out of their homes overnight. That’s a really scary thing for people. It’s in no way, shape or form going to increase the rapport and the relationship between the haves and the have-nots,” said Fine. 

The Same Sky Collective Society acknowledges the business is not as geographically close to the shelter, but believes that shutting it down will only damage a struggling group of people more.

“Blaming those who are in shelter and those who are sleeping by the river is really the wrong approach to take on it. It really just impacts the marginalization of people who are already really impacted by the housing insecurity in a different way, and now there’s nowhere else to go,” said Fine. 

The shelter’s lease ends summer of this year.