Downtown Toronto warming centre full, city adding more capacity
Posted December 23, 2022 4:15 pm.
Last Updated December 23, 2022 5:05 pm.
The City of Toronto announced that warming centres would open Thursday night after advocates and the board of health expressed concerns about the initial plan to wait until Friday to activate the critical resource.
As of around 1 p.m. Friday, the warming centre at Metro Hall was at capacity.
The centre typically has 45 spaces for those who need a warm space as a winter storm rolls through the GTA. On Friday afternoon the city said it is increasing that capacity to accommodate 80 people.
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“Should demand continue, the city will support transportation from Metro Hall to other warming centres – a standard practice during Extreme Cold Weather Alerts,” said spokesperson Alex Burke.
In addition, temporary contingency spaces have been opened at various other shelter sites in common areas and other parts of the shelter not used as sleeping spaces.
The city’s other two warming centres at Scarborough Civic Centre — that can accommodate 17 people, and Mitchell Field Community Centre — that can accommodate 50, were not yet full as of 5 p.m. Friday.
The city says there has been no decision regarding when warming shelters will close, but any changes will be “communicated broadly” before they go into effect.
“Prior to closing a warming centre, the city will also work to find anyone still onsite a referral to a shelter or respite site,” said Burke.
More to come
