As the temperature is expected to drop well below freezing starting Thursday, the City of Nanaimo has extended hours at local warming centres, thanks to provincial funds activated when the weather gets severe. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

cold weather shelters

Hours extended at Nanaimo warming centres ahead of freezing weather, new Oceanside centre opens

Jan 11, 2024 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — As cold weather approaches in the region, the City of Nanaimo has extended the hours at two local warming centres.

Environment Canada expects the temperature to drop to minus three degrees Celsius Wednesday night, then down to -10 by Thursday evening with periods of snow also expected.

Starting Thursday, Jan. 11, the warming centre located at 520 Prideaux St. operated by non-profit Ridebridge will be open from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m., in addition to their regular hours of 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and can assist up to 30 individuals who identify as women at a time.

Also starting Thursday, the centre operated by the Island Crisis Care Society (ICCS) at 2025 Bowen Rd. will open overnight from 7 p.m. until 12 p.m., in addition to their regular daily hours of 12 p.m. until 7 p.m. and can assist up to 60 people at a time.

The City is currently providing funds for three daytime warming centres in Nanaimo, with the site at Risebridge operating since Nov. 14.

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A full list of all the shelter services provided in Nanaimo can be found here at the city’s website.

City of Nanaimo social planner Christy Wood said the additional support provided by the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness is activated once the weather hits certain thresholds.

“We really follow the lead of our colleagues with emergency management and climate readiness, so once they’ve given us the confirmation and the authorization, then we let our partners know on the ground that they’re able to provide that service.”

The thresholds for extreme cold weather events on the mid-Island include a forecasted temperature of zero degrees or lower, as well as Environment Canada issuing a weather warning for events like snow or high wind.

Nanaimo’s Community Safety Officers will also be working extended hours, handing out warming supplies, warm clothing and hot drinks.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) will provide free transit rides to the warming centres, as well as giving the warming shelters complimentary bus tickets for transportation from the sites.

Wood said they were in contact with their community partners earlier this week to see how much additional funding they required to meet the demand in the cold weather, which they submit to the ministry once the temperature drops below freezing.

Warming centre operations so far
Wood said operators of those sites are reporting mostly smooth sailing so far, but they are facing an increase in overdose calls happening at the warming centres.

“We are looking to provide some additional supports but the services have been well received by our unsheltered population that are looking to take refuge from the cold weather.”

She said they have received some complaints from neighbours of the warming centres, and she recommends first reaching out to the service providers to work on possible solutions.

“Each of our service providers do commit to some Good Neighbourhood commitments, so that does include working in partnership with our community safety officer, our Nanaimo RCMP, as well as reporting any concerns that they’re seeing on or around their operations. They’re also required to provide contact information for neighbourhood residents or businesses to be able to contact if they have any concerns specific to the warming centre operations.”

The Oceanside area currently has no warming centres in place, but MLA for Parksville-Qualicum Beach Adam Walker said they are working to have one opened by the evening of Jan. 11.

In a response to a post on Risebridge’s Facebook page, Walker said he would be open to hosting the warming centre in his office if a suitable venue isn’t found before the cold weather comes.

New Oceanside facility
Risebridge was able to provide a warming centre in Parksville last winter and has partnered with the Qualicum Christian Fellowship Church to open beginning Thursday, through Jan. 15.

The church at 825 Village Way in Qualicum Beach will be open from 6:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. nightly. It’s along RDN Transit route 91

Risebridge and local governments are directing people to local libraries and recreation centres to avoid the cold conditions during the day.

The non-profit will also be doing daytime outreach in Parksville and Qualicum, providing supplies and resource connections.

BC Housing has an interactive map and list of all temporary and permanent shelters around the province.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow