PRINCE ALBERT — The Salvation Army is working on plans to utilize resources from other branches across Saskatchewan after a fire tore through the Prince Albert warming centre location on Christmas Day, leaving a major gap in services for vulnerable residents.
The fire broke out at approximately 8 p.m. Dec. 25 at The Salvation Army Prince Albert Community Services building at 900 Centre Ave. The structure is considered a total loss after the roof collapsed. Prince Albert Fire Department crews contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to neighbouring buildings.
Area commander for The Salvation Army’s Prairie and Northern Territories division, Mike Hoeft, said personnel from across the province — including Regina and Saskatoon — are on standby to assist.
“So we can draw on those resources at any particular time we need to in terms of personnel,” Hoeft said.
“We also have emergency disaster services personnel that we can mobilize from around our division. So there are people who can help when we need them,” he added.
Hoeft said additional resources won’t be deployed until the organization replaces what was lost in the fire.
“The food in the freezers, the tables people sat around, the chairs they sat on, the cooking equipment used to cook the meals — everything is now gone,” he said. “So it’s a rebuilding from the ground up.”
The Salvation Army provided the city’s only warming centre, housing up to 35 people nightly from December to March. The building also offered daily meals to more than 100 people, along with showers, laundry, clothing, hygiene supports and Christmas hampers.
The cost of the damage remains unknown and is expected to take weeks to assess. Hoeft said insurance is unlikely to cover all losses.
Temporary warming centre in place
In response, a temporary warming shelter has been established at the Prince Albert Grand Council Urban Services building. The shelter is operating nightly from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. and will remain open until Jan. 2, 2026.
The temporary space can accommodate 35 people each night and includes breakfast service. The operation is a joint effort between The Salvation Army in Prince Albert, Crossroads Residential Services in Saskatoon and community partners. Relatives Lodge is also available as a warm-up location.
“The community response has been remarkable,” said Major Ed Dean, corps officer at The Salvation Army Prince Albert. “We created relationships with the community so that we can walk together, and those relationships turned out to be the key to this remarkable response.”
Dean said the priority is ensuring services can continue beyond Jan. 2.
“The mission will continue, but we urgently need the community’s support,” he said.
Looking ahead
For the past two years, the Salvation Army-operated warming centre was the only one in the city. With the building destroyed, the organization is now seeking a temporary or permanent replacement space downtown.
Prince Albert Mayor Bill Powalinsky has identified the Union Centre as one potential option the city is exploring.
Hoeft said the immediate focus is on getting through the winter before addressing long-term rebuilding plans.
How to help
Hoeft is encouraging monetary donations to support emergency leasing, rebuilding efforts and continuity of essential programs.
Donations can be made:
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Online: Visit SalvationArmy.ca, select “Donate to a specific location,” then choose Prince Albert
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By phone: Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769) and request Prince Albert Community Services
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QR code: Available on The Salvation Army Prince Albert Facebook page
All contributions will support daily meals, warming services and essential community care as recovery efforts continue.
