Temporary warming centres will be open overnight at three sites around Vancouver through Feb. 20 due to the recent blast of cold weather.
They were activated Feb. 18.
Warming centres are opened as a life-saving response when the temperature reaches -5°C or below, or it feels like -5°C or below.
The warming centres that were activated include:
- Britannia Community Centre: 1739 Venables St. from 9 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.
- Carnegie Community Centre: 401 Main St. from 11:15 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- West End Community Centre: 870 Denman St. from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The centres welcome men, women, pets, bikes, and carts. Hot beverages and snacks are available and no reservation is required.
In addition to warming centres, the City of Vancouver, in partnership with B.C. Housing, opened 300 temporary shelter beds in Vancouver this year as a response to winter weather. Find a full list of temporary shelters here.
Anyone looking for a shelter space can call 2-1-1 to check availability. Community centres and other public buildings are also available during their open hours as spaces to warm up.
According to Environment Canada, temperatures are expected to dip to a low of -4°C tonight (Feb. 19), a low of -6°C Feb. 20 and a low of -5°C Feb. 21
