Blackburnnews.com File PhotoRiver City Vineyard. Blackburnnews.com File Photo
Sarnia

River City Planning For The Future

River City Vineyard is hoping to reopen a facility for the homeless early in the new year under a new name.

Pastoral Leader George Esser says they are still looking at potential names, with the intention to remove the word "shelter" from their official title.

He says too much baggage is associated with the word, and hopes a new name will better align with what they do.

Before they can open their doors, Esser says they need to raise $85,000 for salaries and equipment, including a new alarm system.

"As soon as we get the money we could probably open in about three weeks, after we get the funds," says Esser.

Esser says they will hire two part time staff members to help anchor their team of volunteers.

River City was closed in June 2014 after an initial Superior Court ruling in favour of the city.

The Ontario Court of Appeal overturned the lower court ruling saying the city’s zoning bylaw had been misinterpreted.

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(left to right) SPS Deputy Chief Michael Van Sickle and Acting Chief Mike Federico. June 25, 2026. (Photo by Natalia Vega)

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(File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo Inc. / dehooks)

Scoreboard, June 26

The Toronto Blue Jays dropped their third in a row Thursday, 6-5 to the visiting Texas Rangers, and the Detroit Tigers suffered a 2-1 loss to Houston.