As wildfires continue to displace thousands across northern Manitoba, the City of Winkler remains on standby, prepared, but so far unused. Despite converting the Meridian Exhibition Centre into a full-scale evacuation shelter in recent days, no evacuees have yet arrived.
Wendy Klassen, assistant city manager for Winkler, says the city has not received an official directive to receive evacuees and remains in a holding pattern.
"There's still a possibility that we may get them, it sounded from the province like they were trying to put people in hotels first if possible,” Klassen said, “the shelters would be utilized after that if they needed them."
She continued to say that the city has not been given any clear explanation for the decision to prioritize hotels, but acknowledged that the comfort they provide likely plays a role.
“You have a real bed, and you don't have to sleep in a room with 200 other people. It's just a better living condition.”
Shelter remains ready
The Meridian Exhibition Centre remains fully prepared if the need arises. Thanks to a rapid and coordinated effort between local agencies and volunteers, the facility is ready to accommodate hundreds of displaced residents with sleeping space, food services, showers, and basic programming.
Ron Vanderwees with the Southern Emergency Response Committee described the transformation effort as “amazing.”
“Thursday at about noon, half the floor was in and half the floor was grass,” Vanderwees said. “Through some fantastic efforts by the Winkler Fire Department and a lot of volunteers, by 1:00 that night... we had about half of these cots already set up.”
Vanderwees went on to say that he was confident that if the need had been present, the community would have had the facility ready to receive people that night.
“You want to offer the services that you would want if you were displaced,” he said. “It’s not something these people wanted — our goal here is to make it as pleasant, in an impossible situation, as it possibly can.”
Related stories:
- City of Winkler prepares to house wildfire evacuees
- The Pembina Valley supports Manitoba wildfire evacuees through Red Cross
- With hotel space in short supply, Manitoba fire evacuees welcomed in Niagara Falls
Waiting on the word
While the facility remains closed to the public, the shelter is ready to activate at a moment’s notice. For now, city officials say they’re simply awaiting further word from the province.