The City of Maple Ridge has reopened a temporary daytime warming shelter to offer residents a place to go as snow piles up during this current weather system.
A spokesperson for the city said the shelter at the Greg Moore Youth Centre at 11925 Haney Place, will be open from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. “until this current weather event ends.”
The city first opened a daytime warming shelter during a cold snap that started late last week saw up to 14 people at one time seek out help.
Temperatures plunged across the region, prompting Environment Canada to issue and arctic outflow warning that stretched from Thursday, Jan. 11, and throughout the weekend.
On Friday, Jan. 12 between one and nine people accessed the warming centre between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., the centre’s operational hours.
Saturday, Jan. 13, between one and seven people access the shelter. Sunday, Jan. 14, saw between two and 12 people and on Monday, Jan. 15, between four and 14 people.
The temporary centre shut down at 9 p.m. on Monday, only to reopen again on Wednesday, Jan. 17.
How many people accessed the warming centre each day? The number of people accessing the centre ranged from 1 person to 14 over the four days with the highest attendance during the evening.
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The City will be continuing to monitor the weather forecast and will assess the need to keep the warming centre operating the rest of the week.
Anyone looking for a place to stay warm can go to the Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministry’s Temporary Winter Shelter, run in partnership with Ridge Church, which is being opened up during the day for this weather event, in addition to its normal operating hours from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. until April, regardless of the weather. This shelter is located at Ridge Church, 22155 Lougheed Highway, where heaters have also been set up at the Community Resources Hub during operating hours for people to stay warm.
The City’s recreation facilities and Maple Ridge Library, 22470 Dewdney Trunk Road, are also open during regular operating hours for people to use and stay warm.
City of Maple Ridge Community Safety Officers and Bylaw Officers along with community partners will also be reaching out to people who are unhoused to let them know of available resources in the community.
Community Services had to cancel the Meals on Wheels program on Wednesday, Jan. 17, due to snow along with their in-person services.
