The community gathering, organized by the North End Community Alliance, drew a large crowd to the site where Peterborough City Council recently approved a six-month winter shelter to operate from Nov. 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027.
Residents lined Carnegie Avenue carrying signs, sharing concerns and speaking with elected officials about a decision many say was made without enough public consultation.
Yet despite the frustration and emotion on display, one message echoed throughout the gathering.
This was not a protest against helping unhoused residents.
It was a call for a different location.
“This is not about whether assistance should be provided,” organizers stated in a press release issued following the event. “It’s about identifying the best location, making responsible use of public resources, and developing a shelter strategy that serves both those in need and the wider community.”
The former fire hall at 161 Carnegie Avenue was approved by council in a 9-2 vote earlier this month. Northcrest councillors Andrew Beamer and Dave Haacke were the only members of council to oppose the location.
Among the concerns raised Saturday was the shelter’s distance from many of the services its users would likely need to access.
According to information shared by organizers, the city has budgeted approximately $162,000 for transportation to move shelter users between the site and support services elsewhere in the city.