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As the City of Kamloops faces criticism for the continued use of the Memorial Arena as a homeless shelter, two new locations are set to open.

iNFOnews.ca has learned both the former Greyhound bus station and vacant Stuart Wood Elementary School will be used as emergency shelters.

The Greyhound station at 725 Notre Dame Drive will be used under an 18-month lease through B.C. Housing while the Stuart Wood School in downtown Kamloops has been designated for only a temporary winter shelter.

The decision to use these sites came amid a push from families associated with Kamloops Minor Hockey and other user groups who claim they are in need of the ice space, according to sources at the City of Kamloops.

B.C. Housing currently has an indefinite lease with the City of Kamloops, signed in a closed council meeting, to use Memorial Arena for shelter space. But that deal was signed with the understanding that more shelter space would be identified to replace those beds.

READ MORE: Kamloops minor hockey takes hit as Memorial Arena remains homeless shelter

Although the Memorial Arena shelter continues to be used in lieu of replacement beds, the city is dozens short of providing enough emergency beds for homeless people as winter approaches.

With the 50 beds in use at Memorial Arena, Canadian Mental Health Association executive director Alfred Achoba said they have been full as the nights get colder and they have more people knocking on the doors at both Memoria Arena and the Emerald Centre to come stay the night.

Achoba, however, was not aware of a replacement shelter and plans to put the ice back at Memorial Arena.

He did add that he and his staff have faced vitriol from the public for their continued operation of the leased shelter, signaling an increase in discrimination against homeless people.

It's not known how many beds will be available at the new shelters nor who will be operating them. An official announcement is expected tomorrow.

READ MORE: More money won't solve homeless crisis in Okanagan, Kamloops but leadership will

A Vancouver-based realtor who is looking to lease or sell the space for the former Greyhound station property said he is not aware of any lease with B.C. Housing.

The current building there is in "terrible condition" and is in need of remediation, realtor Peter Seed said.

However, he added that a lease deal may have been signed without his knowledge, especially in an emergency situation.  

Along with the shelter spaces, a separate temporary housing project in Kamloops is expected to be announced from B.C. Housing.

iNFOnews.ca also learned that the project will include modular housing in North Kamloops. There are few details available on that project, but city sources say it will be within a neighbourhood and the City expects there will be pushback from the community.

An announcement from B.C. Housing is expected tomorrow, Nov. 10, regarding the planned shelter spaces and modular housing project.

READ MORE: Kelowna's emergency shelter spaces to grow by 30%

— With files from Shannon Ainslie.

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