As freezing temperatures and wind chill warnings hit Wrenford this week, the City is opening four indoor warming centres to keep residents safe. Alongside these spaces, Roads & Winter Maintenance crews are prioritizing main roads, bridges, and transit routes for snow clearing.
Warming centres are open from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. when the wind chill drops below -20°C. You can find hot meals, blankets, and connection to outreach workers at the Westbrook Community Arena, Eastfield Twin Arenas, Ambrel Lake Recreation Centre, and Tamsin Valley Leisure Centre. These spaces are a safe place for anyone experiencing homelessness or living without reliable heating.
"We want to make sure everyone has a warm place to stay during the coldest nights," says Fiona Gallagher, General Manager of Community Services. "Our outreach teams are on the ground, and these centres are a life-saving resource for our neighbours."
If you are outside, dress in layers, cover your head, and limit your time in the cold. Keep an eye on your neighbours, especially seniors and those living alone. If you see someone struggling, call 311 or contact the Extreme Cold Outreach team at [email protected]. You can also learn more about how the City keeps people safe at Warming centres.
Roads & Winter Maintenance crews are treating major routes first to keep transit and emergency vehicles moving. Plows will not clear residential side streets until the main roads are done. If you need to be on the roads, travel with caution and give plows plenty of room. Move your car off main streets during snow events to help crews work faster. For details on parking restrictions and clearing times, see Snow route parking bans.
Property owners and tenants must clear snow and ice from sidewalks within two metres of the curb by 10:00 a.m. the morning after a storm. If you cannot clear your walk, call 311 to ask about volunteer snow shovelling help. More information is available on Snow clearing and sidewalk plowing.
The cold can also damage your home. Protect your pipes by keeping the heat on, letting faucets drip, and insulating exposed lines. Visit Protecting water lines and meters from freezing for a full checklist.
For ongoing service alerts, weather updates, and event schedules, visit the News & Events page or call 311.