Cowichan warming centre activated for Friday, Dec. 22

Overnight temperatures in the Cowichan Valley are expected to be around 0°C Friday night, so the warming centre in the Cowichan Community Centre will open.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District says the warming centre, which is in Heritage Hall within the community centre, will be available for unhoused people in the region for up to 12 hours.

It will open at 9 p.m. Friday until 9 a.m. Saturday with capacity for 20 people.

The criteria to open warming centres has also been updated to include:

• Temperatures near zero with rainfall making it difficult for unhoused people to stay dry
• Sleet or freezing rain
• Snow accumulation that will not melt within 24 hours
• Sustained high winds resulting in an Environment Canada special weather statement or weather warning
• Temperatures at or below 0°C
• Forecast of three or more consecutive days of winter rain

RELATED:

• NOV. 8: ‘It’s disappointing’: Duncan council votes against opening extreme weather shelter
• DEC. 1: ‘Why are we waiting?’: Worry for unhoused in Duncan as storms roll in with no extreme weather shelter
• DEC. 14: City of Nanaimo is funding two more warming centres this winter

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