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CVRD warming centres to open again Wednesday, and in more communities

Warming centres to open again due to cold temperatures, snowfall warning in Comox Valley
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The Comox Valley was hit with a blanket of snow in early February.

The warming centres in the Comox Valley will be open another day to help people cope with the extended cooler temperatures this week.

The centres in the Lower Native Sons Hall in Courtenay (360 Cliffe Avenue) and Buchanan Hall in Cumberland (2674 Dunsmuir Avenue) will also be open Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 10 p.m. until 6 p.m. In addition, the Spinnaker building in Comox (127 Port Augusta Street) will be open Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m., and on Wednesday at the same times.

Hornby Islanders can go to the Joe King Park Clubhouse at 3875 Central Road. They are asked to contact Joe King Park for hours. Denman Islanders can visit the Denman Island Hall at 1196 Northwest Road, and are asked to contact the hall for opening hours.

According to the CVRD website, the warming centres "are intended as a place of refuge offering a dry, safe place with seating, snacks, washrooms, security, and cleaning services. Leashed or crated pets are welcome, but please verify with the service provider on site."

They are not funded through local taxes, do not have sleeping areas, cots or mats, or require registration. There is no violent behaviour tolerated, and no visitors or media are allowed on site without approval from the site manager and on-site service providers.

Emergency warming centres and services are temporary emergency supports that may be eligible for Provincial funding and support when one or more of the following Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC) thresholds have been met:

- Extreme Weather Alert: including Warnings, Watches, Advisories, and Special Weather Statements coincide with temperatures of 0°C or lower.

- Forecast Temperatures: are predicted to reach -4°C or colder.

- Weather-related Threats: When weather conditions may pose a direct threat to safety (example: prolonged power outages, sustained high winds with the risk of flying debris).

Warming centres are different from emergency shelters in that the warming centres are set up when weather conditions may pose a direct threat to safety.

"Services are delivered by local service providers, to offer a safe, warm, dry place of refuge with access to washroom facilities, security, cleaning services, a seating area, snacks and refreshments. There are no sleeping areas or registration requirements," the regional district's website says.

Emergency shelters, which are operated and delivered by local service providers under contract with BC Housing and other sources, provide basic services like places to sleep, eat and wash. They are activated after weather conditions hit a certain threshold set by BC Housing.

For more information, visit the Comox Valley Regional District website.



Marc Kitteringham

About the Author: Marc Kitteringham

I joined Black press in early 2020, writing about the environment, housing, local government and more.
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