Peter Gregory admits that running the Warming Centre in downtown North Bay was a bad idea that set The Gathering Place back financially.
"We took it on, but I will say it backfired for us and it was not a good business move for us," admitted Gregory.
The Gathering Place will not be involved with the warming centre this year, which is being run by the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board which started a cold weather housing program on Chippewa Street at Northern Pines earlier this month.
"We recognize the financial missteps we’ve made in recent years and are committed to addressing them with transparency and accountability,"
Gregory, the board chair with the North Bay Gathering Place made that comment when reflecting on the significant losses the non-for-profit organization has been dealing with.
On September 1, the Gathering Place made the call to cut several staff members and decrease their meals to five meals a week, one a day and lunch only.
See related: Gathering Place adjusting after cutbacks
In the financials listed on the Gathering Place website, it's revealed the organization lost $187,291 in 2023 compared to $31,156 in 2022.
The organization took on an additional $150,000 in wages and benefits in 2023 and added $84,000 in security costs which Gregory points to supporting and operating the Warming Centre on Fraser Street last year as reasons for the escalation.
"So we had to have 'X' amount employees there at all times to keep the people safe and fulfill the contract we had with them," explained Gregory.
"So that's why we had the big increase in wages there."
See related: New warming centre numbers are alarming
After more than 20 years of service, Gregory insists the organization has a renewed commitment to financial accountability, operational improvements, and continued support for the community.
Gregory notes they hope to continue to raise funds and hope to utilize more volunteers to help make ends meet. He says they will continue to operate with three full-time staff and two part-time.
"Our whole idea is to get more volunteers involved," noted Gregory.
"Now we as a board are really looking at all our costs and trimming where we can and doing what we can to make it a lot more efficient operation."
