In the past year since it opened, the facility originally known as the Sobering Centre has seen some changes.

Now known as the Well-Briety Centre, the facility also has had a change in management.

Initially it was operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association, but has been under the care of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakinak since July.

Here Mayor Colleen Smook talks about another big change, thanks to extra government funding.

“The Provincial Government announced in July that MKO would be receiving $350,000 to keep the Well-Briety Centre open 24 hours a day beginning in October until the end of March.  Prior to the announcement, provincial integral funding was only for 12 hours of overnight operation.”  

Smook said the government hopes that by providing the extra hours of care during the winter, the homeless people at the Well-Briety Centre will have an improved quality of life and it will help them access more services in a central location.