A new all-in-one building could help Yellowknife’s youth shelter, Home Base YK, expand its programs and deliver them under one roof.
Executive director Tammy Roberts said she’s been developing plans for the organization’s new home since 2021 and the building’s design – prepared by Taylor Architecture Group and informed by local youth – is now complete.
The biggest barrier to getting shovels in the ground, however, is funding for the project, which hasn’t yet been secured.
Roberts said she’s been exploring possible funding avenues through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and new federal funds announced in the budget last month, though that work is at an early stage.
The new nine-storey building, dubbed Home Base Stadium, is being planned for the organization’s existing Park Place site, located near City Hall and Somba K’e Park.
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It is set to include event space, a gymnasium, café, dormitories (including a shared lounge, dining area and kitchen), transitional housing and two floors of market-rate housing, according to planning documents submitted to the City of Yellowknife.
“It would be putting our services under one roof,” said Roberts. “Our youth centre, shelter, sobering space, and then levels of supported housing.”
She said the new building would allow the expansion of programs available through the youth centre.
“Our dream is to be able to have health services provided through the space and bring the services to our youth, instead of having to take our youth to services,” said Roberts.
While the current lack of funding for the project means there is no timeline for construction of the new facility, Roberts said the permitting process involving the city is nearly complete.
