Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Warming Centres Opened In Vancouver In Response To Cold Weather

Darpan News Desk, 29 Nov, 2019 11:49 PM

    Residents experiencing homelessness are being urged to use the City’s warming centres which will open for the next two nights in response to extreme cold weather. Warming centres are activated as a life-saving response for people sleeping outside during the city’s coldest months.


    “No one needs to be outside,” said Sandra Singh, General Manager of Arts, Culture, and Community Services. “We really want residents experiencing homelessness to come inside and stay safe. Warming centres will welcome everyone, and people can bring their pets, bikes, and carts with them.”


    Locations


    Warming centres will be open at the following locations on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29:


    Britannia Community Centre – 1739 Venables St, open between 9pm and 8:30am

    Vancouver Aquatic Centre – 1050 Beach Ave (enter via Seawall), open between 10pm and 6am

    Powell Street Getaway – 528 Powell St, open between 9pm and 7am


    Overdose Prevention Society – 58 East Hastings St, open between 11pm and am (This location is an Overdose Prevention Site that provides harm reduction)


    Fire Chief’s order at Oppenheimer Park


    The City recognizes that the weather is worsening and this is leading to people taking dangerous measures to try and stay warm. At Oppenheimer Park, a Fire Chief’s order has been in place since February 2019 which sets out a number of conditions to reduce the fire hazard for people living in the park, but compliance with that order has been limited.

    There have been more than 20 fires in the park since February and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) is reporting increasingly dangerous situations that pose a serious risk to life. VFRS recently found two 30lb propane tanks which had domestic hosepipes attached to them with masking tape and these were being used to fuel an open flame grill that was inside a tent. This set-up had already burnt the tent and could have caused a significant explosion in the park.

    The City’s Outreach staff continue to be at Oppenheimer Park regularly and are working to move people indoors. Currently the Outreach team is working with approximately 50 people who are experiencing homelessness and frequently sleeping in the park.


    Warming centre activation

    Warming centres are activated when the temperature reaches -5°C or below (or it feels like -5°C or below). Hot drinks and snacks will be available, and those with their own bedding may choose to sleep at the centre. Last year, up to 100 people accessed the City's warming centres on any open night.

    Community centres and other public buildings are available during their opening hours as spaces to warm up during the day.


    Temporary shelters

    Since 2009, the City has partnered with the Province to open additional shelter space for the winter months. This year, more than 300 temporary beds are available. Those looking for shelter space can call 2-1-1 to check availability.

    Extreme Weather Response shelters are also open tonight, offering an additional 145 spaces. These spaces are funded by BC Housing and are in addition to the temporary shelter spaces.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Hockey Reckoning Amid Renewed Call For Independent Body To Probe Abuse

    Hockey Reckoning Amid Renewed Call For Independent Body To Probe Abuse
    Former Olympic skier Allison Forsyth says if such an organization had existed in the late 1990s, it likely could have prevented her alleged abuse by coach Bertrand Charest.

    Hockey Reckoning Amid Renewed Call For Independent Body To Probe Abuse

    Despite U.S. Calls For More, Canada's Defence Spending Set To Stay The Same

    Despite U.S. Calls For More, Canada's Defence Spending Set To Stay The Same
    OTTAWA - Canadian military spending is expected to remain stagnant this year despite calls from the U.S. to step it up.

    Despite U.S. Calls For More, Canada's Defence Spending Set To Stay The Same

    Edmonton Mayor Says He Could Help Trudeau Deal With Angry Western Premiers

    Don Iveson said much of the anger on the Prairies is coming from economic uncertainty.

    Edmonton Mayor Says He Could Help Trudeau Deal With Angry Western Premiers

    Ontario Court Dismisses Subway's Lawsuit Against CBC Over Chicken Report

    Ontario Court Dismisses Subway's Lawsuit Against CBC Over Chicken Report
    Subway sued both the CBC and Trent University, which runs the lab, for defamation over a February 2017 broadcast of "Marketplace" and the accompanying online publications about the chain's Canadian chicken products.

    Ontario Court Dismisses Subway's Lawsuit Against CBC Over Chicken Report

    Surrey RCMP Arrest 6, Seize 30 KG Of Cocaine And $125K Cash In 3 Separate Busts

    The Surrey RCMP Gang Enforcement Team (SGET) has had a successful November, with three significant seizures of suspected cocaine and cash since November 8, 2019.

    Surrey RCMP Arrest 6, Seize 30 KG Of Cocaine And $125K Cash In 3 Separate Busts

    War Of Words Escalates Between Legault And Pallister Over Manitoba's Quebec Ads

    Brian Pallister's government recently announced it is rolling out a series of newspaper and electronic advertisements in Quebec that welcome government workers to move to Manitoba if they feel threatened by their province's ban on religious symbols in the workplace.

    War Of Words Escalates Between Legault And Pallister Over Manitoba's Quebec Ads