From a staff report unanimously approved at tonight's council meeting: "The “Rice House” is a property at 848 1st Ave West, owned by the City of Owen Sound next to the Tom Thomson Art Gallery and has been vacant since it was temporarily used for Art Gallery administrative offices approximately three years ago.

The “Rice House” is currently shuttered as the City considers the ideal long-term best use of the property.

To offer support to the people of Ukraine fleeing the war, the City of Owen Sound, the Grey Bruce Community Foundation and other local organizations and community leaders are collaborating to offer housing and other integration services proposed at the location known as the Rice House."