Though the City of Winkler has readied its Meridian Exhibition Centre to serve as a large-scale evacuation facility in the event that wildfire evacuees need a place to stay, the province’s focus has shifted slightly to getting evacuees inside of hotels, rather than large, shared spaces.
A focus on dignity
Wendy Klassen, assistant city manager for Winkler, confirmed the city's shelter remains in a holding pattern, fully prepared but currently unused.
"There's still a possibility that we may get them,” Klassen said. “The shelters would be utilized after that if they needed them."
While no clear directive has been given on why hotels are being prioritized, Klassen acknowledged it likely comes down to dignity and comfort.
“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.”
That sentiment is shared by Jon Enns, General Manager of the Best Western Plus locations in Morden and Winkler. Though his hotels have not received direct instruction from the province, Enns has been working behind the scenes with local leaders and frontline coordinators to house evacuees.
"We haven't heard much from the province itself directly to us, other than what we've seen on the news," Enns said, "We did have the mayor reach out to us... people at the evacuation centres in Winnipeg, a gentleman named Chris reached out to me and asked what we could do."
Despite facing busy bookings and the logistical strain of moving guests between properties, the hotels were able to find space.
"We were able to get 14 families in all the way until about July 3rd," he said, "I would hope that if we were in the same scenario, someone would help us... that's kind of where we came from and that's what got our mindset focused."
Enns stressed that the response from the evacuees they have been in contact with have been deeply emotional.
"These people are extremely thankful, and I had a little girl come grab me... and tell me, 'Thank you so much for letting us stay here,'" he recalled, "Most of those families in those shelters haven't even slept in two or three days...”
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A collective effort
The sense of community has grown beyond the hotel. Neighbouring businesses, like VB’s Entertainment Centre, are also stepping up.
"They're opening their doors for the evacuees in our hotel... from 2:00 to 4:00 to go enjoy the facilities and let the kids have some fun, let’s just say they haven’t had much fun in the last few days." Enns said.
With families finally getting rest and privacy, Enns believes the hotel model meets an essential human need.
"When you're in a big room full of people, you don't really get that... I really think that's what a lot of these people need, is to be able to... just have rest."
For now, officials say they’re still waiting for word from the province on what comes next. But whether it’s in hotel rooms or converted gyms, the community stands ready to help wherever it can.