Meadow Lake’s only food bank floods again, intensifying push for new building

“This is not the first time; this is an ongoing problem,” he said.

He pointed to structural concerns, including the building’s foundation and insulation, as contributing factors.

“The reason for it is the fact that we have the foundation is crappy,” Sylvain said. “It’s an old building.”

He said the problem tends to surface during winter and spring, when the facility struggles to manage temperature and moisture levels. Over time, repeated flooding has taken a toll.

“You can imagine all the walls have black mold,” he said, attributing it to years of water exposure.

Staff are now working to limit further damage by moving supplies and drying the space, but Sylvain said repairing the building is not a viable long-term solution.

“It’s an old building. It’s not worth it,” he said, noting multiple assessments have been done.

The organization is now pushing for a new facility, estimated to cost between $1.8 million and $2.1 million. In January, Meadow Lake city council approved a discretionary use application allowing Door of Hope to relocate to a vacant lot on Third Street East.

A city planning report said the current building on Second Avenue East has outgrown its purpose and is no longer viable for long-term service. It noted the food bank has exceeded capacity, kitchen facilities are inadequate, and significant upgrades would be required to meet safety and regulatory standards.

Administration concluded building new would be more economical than retrofitting the existing structure.

Sylvain said the service is critical, as it is the only food bank serving Meadow Lake and surrounding areas, including the RM and Flying Dust. The facility also supports soup kitchen operations.

Door of Hope does not yet have the money to build and will rely on donations, fundraising campaigns and grants to move the project forward. The organization is working with its board and potential partners on plans for a fundraising campaign, though details are still being finalized.

Sylvain said those interested in supporting the project can contact him at 306-234-2300 or Delton@mlom.ca.

For now, cleanup efforts continue as staff work to keep the facility operational.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

Meadow Lake’s only food bank floods again, intensifying push for new building

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