OLDS — Construction of an emergency shelter in Olds is underway this week after a May 1 groundbreaking ceremony resulted in culmination of about 15 years of work and fundraising.
The Mountain View Emergency Shelter Society (MVESS) says the purpose of Kirsten’s Place is to serve as a safe place for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence in Mountain View County and the urban centres within it.
The shelter is being constructed on land provided by the Town of Olds at the junction of 50th Avenue and 54th Street.
Currently, there is no emergency shelter in the area, so those fleeing domestic violence have had to be referred to shelters elsewhere in the province - including in Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House - far away from friends, family and schools for their children.
The shelter, expected to be completed by November or December, received its name in tribute to Kirsten Gardner, who was killed during an alleged incident of domestic violence in Bowden in March 2021.
The first-degree murder trial of Ross Arran McInnes, the man accused in the killing, is expected to start this month.
Christina Ramage of Innisfail, Kirsten’s mother, is honoured that the facility will bear her daughter’s name and says more such shelters are needed in the area.
“I’m glad that it’s finally started. It’s been a long time,” Ramage said during an interview with the Albertan.
“There’s definitely a need for more emergency shelters in this area for the women that need to escape those situations.
“Hopefully they’ll have it up and going soon.”
During a cold, snowy day, about seven members of Ramage’s family from Innisfail and Mountain View County were among more than 100 people who huddled in and around tents to attend the ground-breaking ceremony.
It was noted that Brian Gardner, Kirsten’s father, had offered to be the general contractor for the building project.
After several speeches were given, Shane Webb of Webb’s excavating, dug the first dirt for the building’s construction.
Emilie Webb, Shane’s sister-in-law, is an MVESS program coordinator.
In her speech, she urged the crowd to see Shane’s excavating as “a symbol of us not just breaking ground, but breaking the cycle of domestic violence within our community.”
Roughly $1 million raised
Roughly $1 million has been raised for the project. MVESS president Joe Carignan said the province has provided $125,000 and at least another $257,000 has been raised in the community through donations, radiothons and other efforts.
Carignan told the Albertan that enough money has been raised to construct the building, but fundraising will still have to be done for things like furniture, fencing and security.
“Welcome to springtime in Alberta,” Carignan said to the crowd as the ceremony began.
Carignan and many other speakers thanked all those who have supported and/or donated money for the shelter.
Among those thanked was Royal LePage Wildrose Real Estate which, with the help of local radio stations, has organized radiothons that have raised a lot of the money obtained for the build. Another radiothon is coming up May 15.
“It takes a village to raise a child and a community to help someone when they need support. Mountain View County is that community to do that,” Carignan said.
MC Bernd Van’t Klooster, a member of the radiothon organizing committee for years, served as MC for the occasion.
He described the ceremony as an “historic event” and praised the MVESS board, calling them “some of the best people you’ll ever meet” and “some of the pillars in this community.”
Van’t Klooster read a statement attributed to Rimbey - Rocky Mountain House - Sundre MLA Jason Nixon, the province’s minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services.
“I want to thank all of you for your dedication, unwavering commitment to serving our communities,” the statement read.
“As we break ground today, we reaffirm our shared commitment to creating a society where individuals feel safe, valued and empowered to pursue a life free from violence and fear.
“Thank you to everyone involved in making Kirsten’s Place a reality. Let’s continue our journey toward a safer future for all.”
Town of Olds Mayor Judy Dahl said according to a McGill University study, Canada is among the 30 top countries with the lowest rates of intimate (partner) violence.
“However,” she said, “it is still a challenge that affects one out of 25 women.”
Dahl said children and entire families suffer from intimate partner violence. She said its effects can carry on into the workplace and ‘threaten a woman’s ability to maintain economic independence.”
Shelter will be inclusive
MVESS outreach coordinator Tara McDonald said not only will Kirsten’s Place be a safe haven for people fleeing violence to rebuild their lives, it will also be an inclusive one.
“This shelter will welcome individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, race or sexual orientation,” McDonald said.
“By fostering a culture of inclusivity and acceptance, Kirsten’s Place will create a sense of belonging and support for all who enter its doors.
“Kirsten’s Place is a testament to the compassion, dedication and resilience of our community,’ she added.
“It is a symbol of our collective commitment to supporting those in need and standing against violence in all forms.
“Together, we can make a difference and create a safer, more compassionate community for all.”
Elder John Sinclair gave a blessing for the facility in Cree and English.
Noting that the crowd included police officers, Sinclair thanked all emergency personnel who work to keep the community safe. He included firefighters in that group, noting his son is one of them.
“We ask that you continue to guide us, so that we can be of one mind, one body, one spirit. That we can all walk together in a good way. That we can accept each other in the way that we were made to be,” Sinclair said.
“And we ask that you look at this piece of land here, our mother Earth, who has given up herself so that we can use this little piece of land here to house people who are in need. To house people who are hurting, to house people who are frightened and afraid.
“And for those ones who come here for safety, we ask that you would bless them as well. Heal them in mind, body and spirit,” he added.
Webb, who has worked for MVESS for four years, paid tribute to Sasha Curr, the first MVESS outreach coordinator.
Webb admitted the ground-breaking ceremony was emotional for her.
“I’ve seen hundreds of clients walk through that door, referring them to other shelters,” she said.
“They’ve had to uproot their whole life; leave their job, leave their kids’ school, leave their family and friends.”
She said having an emergency shelter in the town will allow those people to stay in an area they’re familiar with, near friends and family, if they wish.
“It really is a community full of people that are all connected and all care deeply about this cause,” she said.
The meaning of the fence
As people walked into the construction site, they passed by a fence painted purple.
It was painted a couple of weeks ago by members of Youth Empowerment and Support (YES), a regional youth mental health preventative program.
Raelynn Notley, a mental health capacity building program manager for YES, told the Albertan that the fence was painted purple because that’s the colour for domestic violence awareness.
“Students from Holy Trinity, Deer Meadow and the Olds High School will continue to work on the fence by adding flowers and artwork in memory of Kirsten,” Notley wrote in an email.
“Once the fence is torn down, the boards will be used to make benches that will stay on-site at Kirsten’s Place.”
Success coach Kendra Weisbrodt brought some of the students who helped paint the fence to the ground-breaking ceremony for the shelter.
"Kendra has worked with the students to promote healthy relationships and leadership opportunities for youth in the community. It is a way that they can support the initiative and be active members of their community,” Notley wrote.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct Kirsten Gardner's name.
