Toronto is opening two additional warming centres at 5 p.m. on Saturday to support people experiencing homelessness as the temperature is expected to dip to a chilly -15 C.
One warming centre will be opened at the Cecil Community Centre at 58 Cecil Street. The second is slated to open at the Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre at 870 Queen Street East.
The two sites are activated when the temperature drops below -15 C. With the wind chill, it’ll feel near -20 C this evening.
These new centres will add an additional capacity of 60 to the already existing 242 spots in the warming centres across the city, bringing the total up to just over 300.
The city has previously opened five warming centres at 136 Spadina Road, 81 Elizabeth Street, 12 Holmes Avenue, Metro Hall at 55 John Street, and 885 Scarborough Golf Club Road. All these centres are open to walk-ins, the city said.
All the sites are open to adults of all genders, are pet friendly, and some contain showers.
All centres have accessibility accommodations, except 12 Holmes Avenue.
“Warming Centres give those who are vulnerable and may be experiencing homelessness a place to rest and access meals, washroom facilities and referrals to emergency shelter,” the city said.
Additionally, the city has 24-hour respite sites to provide resting spaces, meals, and service referrals to people in need. These sites operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are pet-friendly.
On Sunday, the temperature will reach a daytime high of -10 C with a wind chill of around -20 C in the morning, according to Environment Canada.
Information regarding all the accommodations made by the city to help people experiencing homelessness tackle the winter can be found here.