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New Brunswick officials say Dignity Center repairs nearly complete; advocates press for emergency alternatives and distribution of supplies
Summary
City staff told the council that a new boiler and plumbing work should allow the Dignity Center to re-open Friday; volunteers and advocates urged the city to provide interim shower/hygiene alternatives and to distribute stored supplies to unhoused residents while the center was closed.
City officials said Feb. 18 that repairs to the Dignity Center — a local warming/ hygiene center for unhoused residents — were nearing completion and that the facility was expected to re‑open on Friday after replacement of a large, aging boiler and finishing plumbing work.
"The boiler that we installed ... it's got about 3,200,000 BTUs," a city official said when describing the replacement and follow‑up plumbing and cleanup work. Officials said multiple trades worked on the site and that cleaning and final inspections were underway.
During public comment, volunteers and advocates pressed the council for a clear timeline of when the Dignity Center closed, whether hygiene kits and fresh clothing stocked there were being redistributed while the site was offline, and whether the city had emergency alternatives (showers, partner churches or interim facilities) for people who rely on the center. "It's been two months since the Dignity Center has been closed," said an advocate, asking the city to confirm distribution of soap, shampoo and towels while repairs continued.
Why it matters: The Dignity Center provides basic hygiene and warming services to a vulnerable population; extended closures can increase public‑health and safety risks and push people to look for services outside the city.
City staff said they would supply a written timeline and additional details at the next meeting. Staff also noted ongoing discussions with community partners about contingency plans and possible use of nearby church space as an interim option, though no final arrangement was confirmed during the session.
What’s next: Officials committed to reporting back with a clear chronology of the Dignity Center’s closure and repair timeline and to answer whether stored hygiene supplies were being distributed to people in need while the center was closed.
