The Cowichan Valley Regional District has secured an emergency warming centre for the upcoming cold-weather months away from the Cowichan Community Centre.
The CVRD announced on Oct. 23 that board directors had approved a plan from Emergency Management Cowichan to lease the larking lot of the Ramada Inn on the Trans-Canada Highway for the use of a warming centre as needed between Nov. 15 and March 31, 2025.
"The team left no table unturned in their attempts to find a location," said Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples, who sits on the CVRD board and in whose community the site will be situated. "Is this the best [site]? Absolutely not, but it is what we have to work with in order to have somewhere for people to get out of the harshness of winter weather so we have to ensure the services on site and in the neighbourhood are strong and supportive."
Last year in an effort to keep Cowichan's unhoused out of the elements, a daytime warming centre was proposed to be set up in the Cowichan Community Centre's parking lot, a move that did not sit well with many, including the arena's users, the school board and the Municipality of North Cowichan. An overnight centre was eventually put inside the centre's Heritage Hall, despite protests from some.
This year the regional district has locked down a new site at the Ramada Inn property, to be managed by Lookout Housing and Health Society. It will likely be opened when the temperature is at or near 0 C or below, coupled with adverse weather conditions such as high wind, rain, or snow, as was the case last season on 42 occasions.
“Our board is committed to being proactive in providing this emergency service to the unhoused and vulnerable population in the core of the Cowichan region,” said Kate Segall, CVRD board vice-chair. “The plans for the new space will provide the respite required during extreme winter weather events, and we are grateful for the work of our staff, Lookout Housing, and our many partners to find a viable solution for this critical service.
The CVRD has noted it will be funding extra outreach staff in the downtown core and will have 24/7 security on the site to mitigate any effect in the use pattern for the surrounding neighbourhood. When activated, the centre is anticipated to be open for 12 hours overnight, with operating hours to be determined.
