FILE PHOTO
Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
January 09, 2024 - 3:30 PM
With temperatures expected to drop below -20 Celsius overnight Wednesday the City of Kelowna is setting up three warming buses with seating for at least 60 people.
Last winter, only one bus was used in extreme cold conditions but given a dramatic increase in the number of people sheltering outdoors this winter – approximately 150 people or more – that service is being expanded.
As are the hours, from eight per night last year to 12 this year from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. at the city’s designated overnight sheltering space along the Okanagan Rail Trail near Richter Street.
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“Frontline agencies including Commissionaires, Downtown on Call, Bylaw Services, community outreach agencies and RCMP will all be conducting welfare checks,” an email from the city to iNFOnews.ca said.
They'll be equipped with warming supplies such as tents, sleeping bags, hand and toe warmers, toques, gloves and socks and will direct people to any available indoor shelter beds, although those are usually full.
Emergency services will be available to those in obvious need.
The buses are deployed when temperatures drop to -10 C or below and will be in place through to Monday morning.
Last year, 29 thermal shelters were purchased by the city and tried out but to mixed reviews. There are 14 still intact that will be distributed this week to those who want them.
Metro Community Drop-in Centre on St. Paul Street downtown will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the cold weather as a warming centre.
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