The tent encampment behind Creston’s former fire hall is being asked to move, following a lease agreement between the Town of Creston and Iron Soul Fitness.
The gym is set to reopen this month in its new, larger location at 140 10 Ave. North, offering expanded services — including 24/7 access to equipment for members.
Mayor Arnold DeBoon confirmed that the five-year lease signed on March 11 requires full access to the property, meaning the tent encampment must be relocated.
“We have asked these individuals respectfully to move on, as it interferes with parking and, with the 24/7 access, it’s just not compatible,” said DeBoon. “It’s not an easy situation. They need to find a place to occupy that doesn’t interfere with other people, and legally we can’t direct them to another spot.”
On April 30, a letter was hand-delivered to residents at the encampment, requesting they vacate the premises within seven days. The letter, signed by Creston CAO Michael Moore, acknowledged the challenges faced by unhoused individuals but emphasized the town’s obligation to provide the new commercial leaseholder full use of the property.
The Creston Valley Den Society, a volunteer-run group providing daily food and support services to the unhoused, is now helping the camp residents (approximately six) prepare to move.
“It's very disappointing that people who are so vulnerable and struggling so much have to move again,” said board chair Nancy DeVuono. “They're doing the best they can to be good neighbours, given the dire situation that they are in. This is very challenging, but we're definitely not going anywhere.”
She added these individuals will be supported as much as possible through the process with moving, cleaning up, and setting up somewhere else.
“Access to housing is a basic human right,” said DeVuono. “This situation just underscores, again, the need for a shelter in Creston. We believe that that totally falls within the town of Creston's Official Community Plan for inclusion and support of marginalized people.”
While the town has recognized the difficult nature of the move, there are no easy alternatives to turn to.
Public parks are technically available for overnight sheltering, but tents must be removed every morning to avoid interfering with public use.
DeBoon said legality with the unhoused is a constantly developing issue. For the safety of these individuals over the colder winter months, they were permitted to keep their camp in place for the benefit of proximity to the emergency warming centre and Trinity United Church. A portable washroom and generators were also provided, with help of the Den Society.
“From a convenience and safety point of view, we basically allowed that to happen. We didn't encourage them to come there, but … out of kindness and concern for them, we allowed them to stay there and allowed them to use our power,” said DeBoon.
The site of the old fire hall, once considered for a permanent shelter, was ultimately deemed unsuitable for the community’s needs.
To date, no further plans have been made with BC Housing to develop a permanent space and town officials have given pause, especially after negative public feedback to a proposed location downtown.
The town insists its decision to delay a formal shelter stems not from apathy, but from deep concerns about sustainability and fit.
“BC Housing has a formula that works for them. That doesn't mean it works for every community,” said DeBoon. “What we've discussed with them so far, we don't feel is a fully workable solution in our community … partly because we don't want a shelter that will be beds for others, especially when we don't have other supporting services.”
Instead, the town is prioritizing long-term housing solutions in the local rental market. The Creston Valley Housing Corporation, newly formed last year, recently held its first full board meeting with plans to move forward on several projects.
“There are people here that either can't find a place to live because of the vacancy rates so low or can't afford a place because all the affordable places are taken,” said DeBoon. “So when we increase rental stock, we're hoping that the trickle down effect of that is a few more places for people to live … and I think that takes care of some of the homeless situation in our town.”
Meanwhile, the Den Society is still urging the town to re-engage with BC Housing and revisit the proposal for a shelter in the former ambulance building, which shares the same parking lot.
“It is still a very viable option for a shelter space. It met all the criteria required by BC housing, and the Den Society still has a very thorough and comprehensive proposal on the table. We urge them to take those steps,” said DeVuono.
Until then, volunteers will continue providing outreach to the unhoused. The daily drop-in lunch program is still held at Trinity United Church six days a week from 1 to 3 p.m.
“Basically, we've kept people alive and fed and supported through the coldest months of the year – because of the hub that we created for support,” said DeVuono.
She added that of the roughly 25 people supported over the last six months, some have gone on to find housing, reconnect with family, go into treatment, and otherwise change their lives in positive ways – all because they felt like somebody cared.
“The homeless population in Creston is not going to disappear by ignoring it or pretending that it's not an issue,” said DeVuono. “Having a shelter in Creston is just the very first step in helping people out of poverty, ill health, and addiction. That's why we're still doing this.”
