The City of Medicine Hat is planning to move an old labour hall on the city’s outskirts for a new, all-hours location for The Mustard Seed charity. This move marks a significant milestone in a year-long effort by the city, the Calgary-based non-profit, and the Alberta government to consolidate The Mustard Seed’s local daytime and shelter operations in one location. The organization has taken a mobile patchwork approach for the last six months, providing services to the area’s most vulnerable people after its main facility was shuttered following a city planning decision.
James Gardiner, CEO of The Mustard Seed, said it was invigorating to have a clear path forward nearly a year after the search began amid growing complaints from residents who lived near the organization’s original facility. Officials warned several hurdles remain before The Mustard Seed can move in, including a rezoning process and a fresh development permit application. City staff will bring recommendations to council for deliberation this fall, and there will be an opportunity for feedback through public hearings.
The Mustard Seed was forced to close its old Community Impact Centre in February after the southeast Alberta city’s planning authority denied a development permit that would have legitimized its daytime services and added an overnight shelter element. The organization was granted the ability to continue running its commercial kitchen out of the building, so it could feed people at its shelter and in the community..
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