Regina’s only supervised consumption site closed after fire

The Newo-Yotina Friendship Centre is closed until further notice after a fire.

Regina Fire crews were responding to an active fire around 6:46 p.m. on Monday, on 11th Avenue and Osler Street. It said as of 7:13 p.m. that the fire was under control and all searches were complete.

Newo-Yotina Friendship Centre provides additional services, including connecting people with health and social services and referrals for substance use treatment.(Regina Fire/X)

As of early Tuesday morning, a back-side door had boards across it with a red warning notice and some of the brick on the building adjacent to the main centre had smoke damage.

The Friendship Centre posted on social media it’s closed temporarily due to “substantial smoke damage” at the centre.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce our centre’s temporary closure due to a fire at our neighbour’s space, which has caused substantial smoke damage to our premises. We will be closed until further notice while we evaluate damages, safety, and security of the centre.”

This comes as Wâhkôhtowin Harm Reduction, located in the Newo-Yotina Friendship Centre, serves as the first and only supervised consumption site in Regina.

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Back in January, the centre — which initially opened in 2021 — was granted an exemption for its supervised consumption site to operate beyond an urgent needs basis.

The site also provides additional services, including connecting people with health and social services and referrals for substance use treatment.

980 CJME has reached out to the Newo-Yotina Friendship Centre for comment.