The Campbell River Community Centre will serve as a warming centre for vulnerable individuals in the months ahead when temperatures drop to minus four degrees or lower, or during adverse weather conditions as determined by the city.
The city is legally required to activate emergency response protocols when temperature thresholds are reached or during a public health emergency, states an Oct. 30 city report to Campbell River council.
The need for this plan became apparent following extreme weather events in past years, reads the report. In December 2021, there was extremely cold weather with 20 centimetres of snow and temperatures dropping to -20°C.
In November 2022, the centre served as a warming centre for 18 nights between Nov. 30 and Dec. 23, hosting approximately 25 visitors per night due to unusually cold temperatures, according to the report.
The city council approved the centre's use as a warming centre for 2024 to 2025 during the Nov. 7 council meeting. It will operate similar to previous seasons with a few exceptions. An alternative site may be opened on an as-needed basis, states the city.
The Campbell River Community Centre is located at 401 11th Ave.
