A Mitchell man who owns and operates Wilderness Edge Retreat and Conference Centre in Pinawa, says urgent help is needed to care for evacuees who are coming to stay on site.
Kevin Penner says he spoke with the Red Cross Thursday morning, and learned evacuees were being sent to Ontario and beyond because of space issues in Manitoba.
"(They) said they're in desperate need for space, so we opened our doors to 100 First Nations people," he says. "They're actually coming from St. Theresa's point. The people that are most needed to be evacuated are the elderly, and nursing moms."
Also among those arriving, he says, are those suffering from smoke inhalation and various medical conditions.
Penner says there are 143 guest rooms available at the facility, with large meeting rooms and a dining room along with other amenities.
However, he says more staff are needed to support the influx of people coming, which don't include those using the facility as a retreat centre.
"The need was too great to have empty guest rooms at our facility when so many people are hurting," he says. "We have the physical space but we don't have the staff."
Room cleaners, cooks, and others are in high demand as the centre opens its doors—he says those who step up to help will be paid $21 an hour.
"We're believing that by taking this first step of just saying 'Yes,' that other people hopefully will find out the need and also say 'Yes,'" Penner says.
Those who are able to help are encouraged to reach out to Wilderness Edge at info@wildernessedge.com.
Written with files from Kenton Dyck