The consultant is concerned about the location of the social service center in the city centre

A Winnipeg city councilor is raising questions about the location of a downtown hub that offers information and referrals to social services.

A public relations space opened in 2022 in the Millennium Library lobby at a cost of $236,000.

Number. Evan Duncan said he is concerned about privacy for those in crisis using the space and the impact those situations could have on other library patrons.

“What I don't want to see is someone in crisis walking through a public area,” Duncan said. “Other people, patrons of the library, children. I don't want them to be unduly exposed to this.”

The space closed in December 2022 after a stabbing death and was closed until fall 2023, when it reopened according to the library's hours.

Bonnie Chomiak thinks the space is a good fit for the library, and she's reaching out to help herself.

“Someone who talks and gives relevant information,” Chomiak said.

It comes after the Louis Riel library was closed for half an hour on Friday because of a drunken man.

The Community Services Committee reports that between November and December, the hub made more than 2,500 referrals for things like phone services, photocopying and housing.

Public defenders say the location of the hub fits the need.

“Why fix something that's already working?” asked Kate Kehler of the Social Planning Council in Winnipeg.

“So, somehow there's a conversation, now there's a space of community connections, there's people struggling. These people have always been there.

Duncan said the services are needed downtown, but the city doesn't have adequate resources.

“It's a very important service, especially downtown where we see people struggling. But to make sure it's in the right place and it's being properly funded by the provincial government.”

According to the report of the committee, 930 people went to space in November, and 1274 in December.