Vancouver opens warming centres in response to 'extreme cold'

With the coldest temperatures of the winter predicted in Vancouver this week, the city is opening emergency warming shelters to get vulnerable people out of the cold.

The warming centres will be open from Sunday to Wednesday with possible extensions if the mercury continues to dip.

See also

• Special weather statement issued as coldest winter temperatures to hit Vancouver
• Vancouver could see coldest weather of the entire winter next week
• TransLink activates snow plan in wake of forecasted snowfall

Warming centres are activated in the city in response to “extreme cold” as a “life-saving response for people sleeping outside during the city’s coldest months.”

They will be open at the following locations:

• Britannia Community Centre – 1739 Venables Street – 9 pm to 8:30 am
• West End Community Centre – 870 Denman Street – 11 pm to 6 am
• Powell Street Getaway – 528 Powell Street – 9 pm to 7 am
• Vancouver Public Library – 350 West Georgia Street – Sunday and Wednesday only –  11 pm to 7 am.
• The Overdose Prevention Society at 58 East Hastings Street will extend its hours and operate from 11 pm to 8 am on the nights that the warming centres are activated.

Warming centres in Vancouver are activated when the temperature reaches -5°C or below (or it feels like -5°C or below).

Pets, bikes and carts are allowed in the centres, and visitors are welcome.

The city says community centres and other buildings are also available during their opening hours as spaces to warm up from the cold.

More information on the City’s winter response is available here.