Editor’s note: We have made a correction to this story regarding the City of Nanaimo’s role in applying for and distributing funding for warmings centres from the Union of BC Municipalities.
NANAIMO — Shelters across the mid-Island are busy this week as a winter weather system bears down on much of Western Canada.
In Nanaimo, the warming shelter at Risebridge, known as Warmbridge, is currently offering 24-hour support services due to the extreme weather as temperatures are expected to get down to minus 17 degrees celsius with the windchill Wednesday night.
Greg Collins is grateful to have a warm place to go after losing his home just over a week ago.
“Very nice place. These people are wonderful, I tell ya. They’re compassionate, they’re not doing this for the money. To run places like this is difficult, and it’s difficult situations, and they’re dealing with difficult people. They put a lot of effort into just making this place run, which is well appreciated by everybody.”
Collins was able to get a hot meal, a new coat, and some time to relax without having to worry about where to go next.
He said he is so appreciative of having a warm place to go.
“This is actually a really nice shelter. You can kind of come and go…they go outside and help them so no one overdoses on their own, so they’re really good that way. Because those are the sorts of problems that need to be taken care of, most of the shelters don’t do that, but it’s a service that’s really needed.”
With the snow making a lot of sidewalks difficult to navigate, it can be nearly impossible for those seeking shelter to get to where they need to go, especially if they have mobility issues.
Collins added people pushing shopping carts or other aids are finding it extremely difficult to get around.
“Most of the shelters they kick them out in the morning. Even the parks where they can put their tent, they’ve got to get up at seven in the morning, pack it all up leave, and then come back at eight at night or something and set it back up…they just can’t leave stuff.”
Students from Hammond Bay Elementary recently dropped off Christmas presents for the Risebridge tree.(Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)Risebridge executive director Jovonne Johnson said they’ve been overwhelmed with the amount of community donations they’ve received recently.
“Just like last year, we could not be doing this without the amazing level of community support we’ve received. Donations are always needed. It’s appreciated when we see people coming every single day.”
She said being able to provide 24-hour emergency support during this cold snap is literally saving lives, she just wishes they had more time to prepare.
“We know the weather keeps coming, but unfortunately, that’s just not how the Province and the City operate as far as their funding and their emergency needs because we’re already quite stretched thin with the services we are already providing.”
Anything above and beyond the plan is always a last minute decision, according to Johnson.
The Union of BC Municipalities recently provided $625,000 through the City of Nanaimo to operate Warmbridge and two other similar facilities in the region.
Opened under the Assistance to Shelter Regulation, the centre is open during extreme weather emergencies and can accommodate up to 30 guests at a time. (Risebridge Facebook page)Risebridge is also expanding operations into Parksville, as they approved a warming centre at the Community Centre (223 Mills St.) in Parksville, with assistance from the Emergency Management and Climate Readiness fund.
Johnson said they’ve always intended on providing programs for the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area.
“Last year we had an opportunity with some of our funding to do a bit of outreach support in our food accessibility and family plan, and the majority of our staff and board members are in Parksville anyways, so of course it was part of our passion point to be able to offer services there.”
Weather conditions are monitored regularly, with the Province relying on Environment Canada’s forecast to determine extreme weather based on individual geographical areas, which are updated three times a day.
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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow
