The focus for the YWCA Westman team now during the summer months will be directed towards finalizing the final pieces of the financing puzzle to begin the predevelopment work on their newest capital project; the replacement of the Meredith Place shelter which was demolished more than a year ago.

Meredith Place was a century-old building that had structural damage that needed significant repairs to make it viable for the YWCA to use.

"Our goal in the long term is to build a new facility on the grounds of Meredith Place," shares Executive Director, Lois Ruston. "So, we are working and hopefully are able to start the predevelopment work this fall to build a new facility that would see a new shelter and transitional housing. 

For those families who need a little more time and support the YWCA will be providing transitional housing as well as wrap-around supports and programming through their new facility.

Ruston says the predevelopment work will help determine what that capital project looks like moving forward.

"It will create conceptual development and design plans for the building," she explains. "It will help us to determine what we can afford to build, what we should build, what will meet the needs of our region, and what will be sustainable from an operating perspective. So, really these next steps are determining all of those things and helps us to make a road map going forward to embark on a significant capital campaign."