A brand new women’s shelter is being built in Marystown.

About $7.5 million in joint provincial and federal funding is going towards the new build. The land itself is being donated by the town.

The new shelter will be operated by Grace Sparkes House, and will be designed for single women, women with children and trans women that are in emergency need.

It will include 10 private rooms with 20 beds, a fenced-in outdoor courtyard, an in-suite kitchenette and a communal kitchen, and laundry facilities in each wing of the building.

The shelter will also incorporate security features such as cameras monitored by staff, deadbolts and keycard entry.

As Housing Minister Paul Pike explains, the shelter should be built by the spring.

He says April 30 is the expected completion date.