People seeking relief from extreme cold and snow will continue to have access to a warming hub in Dawson Creek, the city said.
The centre is being extended and moved a few doors down, to the Nawican Shelter at 1401 102 Avenue, according to the city of Dawson Creek. Inside, people can warm up from the subzero temperatures and avoid the 10-15 centimetres of snow expected to fall on its first day of renewed operations on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
The hub will remain open through the holidays. On site, there will be refreshments, and residents will have access to the facility 24 hours a day until Jan. 6, when staff will reassess the need for the space.
“This space is here to support those in need during the colder months,” the city wrote in an announcement.
Over the next seven days, Environment Canada expects temperatures to remain below –20 C, with a low of –38 C expected overnight on Sunday, Dec. 21. The next morning’s high is –33 C with a 60 per cent chance of flurries.
Periods of snow or flurries are expected daily for the next week, according to the federal weather agency, which issued a yellow, or moderate, snowfall warning for the entire Peace region.
Earlier this month, the city of Dawson Creek opened this facility in the Nawican Friendship Centre for 12 days. It was set to expire today but will move less than 200 metres to the organization’s shelter to continue providing warmth.
The northeast was subject to extreme cold for much of December and is expected to end the year on a similarly chilly note.
When temperatures drop sharply, Environment Canada advises people to take precautions against frostbite and hypothermia, including covering exposed skin and changing out of wet clothing promptly.
