When the weather gets colder, The Gathering Place in St. John’s gets exponentially busier.

Kim Grant, Associate Executive Director at The Gathering Place says they’ve been operating at capacity every night for months now and are turning away at least one person a night, something she says is incredibly difficult, particularly as the weather gets colder.

She says it’s hard on the individual to be told there are no beds and equally as hard on the staff member who has to deliver the message.

Grant explains that they try and work with the individual to come up with another solution.

She says if there’s another option available The Gathering Place will help make the connection and if not, they’ll provide the individual with warm clothing, sleeping bags and whatever else is needed to stay warm.

One solution to the ongoing issue The Gathering Place is undertaking is the re-development of the former Sisters of Mercy Convent.

Grant says that will create a permanent shelter with 40 beds to increase capacity along with transitional beds and permanent housing. Individuals staying in those beds will have full access to daytime services at The Gathering Place.

She says they’re looking at upwards of 90 beds. 40 will be overnight shelter, an increase from the 30 beds they currently have, transitional beds for those waiting to move into the community and two-floors of permanent housing.

It’s still in the early stages of development, but Grant hopes they can make the facility a reality as quickly as possible.