Colder days on the horizon has warming shelters gearing up

Spooner said the City was lobbying for the provincial government to ease the conditions to open a warming centre, which she is happy to report is taking place this year. Last year, the conditions to open were -10°C in the day, -15°C at night, but now it is 0°C during the day, -5°C in the night.

“I think it’s really important because, number one, it is really cold at 0°C, especially if you’re on the street. It also gives us a little bit of additional resources to deal with things like the fires that people are starting in the downtown core, being able to have warming centres open means that we can actually direct people to an appropriate place to stay warm, instead of them trying to stay warm on the streets,” Spooner said.

As for when specifically warming centres will be open, Spooner says it goes on a case by case basis, and the City of Prince George’s website will have up to date information. She adds that even though the homeless population often comes to mind when discussing warming centres, warming centres will be open all across the city for people of all ages and backgrounds.

“We do have warming centres at places like the Council of Seniors as well, and that one is specific for seniors to be able to go to when the weather gets really cold. The civic facilities are also open so people are able to pop into City Hall, the public library, the Civic Centre, those areas, during the day to warm up,” Spooner said.

Among the organizations preparing is the Fire Pit, operated by Positive Living North. Positive Living North’s Interim Co-Executive Director Vibusha Madanayake says due to limited resources, it won’t be able to open at nights until it hits extreme temperatures like -25°C, but it is focusing its efforts on providing high quality daytime services.

“Our communities can come and share a bite and join an activity, we are doing lots of activities, like talking circles, bingo, just so people can keep warm. Especially not just their bodies, but also their minds,” Madanayake said.

She explained a big challenge for the Fire Pit is that it needs health professionals on location in order to be opened, which is why it can’t open at night as freely as it would like.

“Some people are struggling with substance use disorders, mental health disorders, so we really need emergency first aid, emergency services, especially if there is an overdose happening, or if there is any other underlying health concerns happening,” she said.

Madanayake adds another way the Fire Pit is preparing for the winter is by collecting donations of winter clothing and hand warmers. She explains being warm isn’t just about comfort, it is also about ensuring we can keep people safe and warm, as extreme cold could possibly be fatal, and also make underlying health conditions worse.

“Some people are really struggling with heart conditions, and maybe other mental health conditions, so they really need to keep their bodies and minds warm,” she said.

The Fire Pit’s normal warming shelter hours is Monday to Friday from 1:00-4:30 p.m., but Madanayake says it will update its website and let you know on social media if the hours would be changed or extended.

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by Tommy Osborne

Colder days on the horizon has warming shelters gearing up

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