For the primary time this winter, freezing temperatures have prompted the Metropolis of Kelowna to maneuver right into a Degree 2 chilly climate protocol as of Monday.
“With a Level 2, that is when we reach between -10 C and -19 C. That is when we open up new options for individuals living outdoors,” stated Ali Westlund, the outside sheltering coordinator for the Metropolis of Kelowna.
Town activated a warming tent arrange on the rail path, in addition to warming buses stationed all through Kelowna.
“We can have up to 50 individuals in that tent a night. First night out we had individuals in there for most of the night, little quieter earlier Tuesday morning. It was at full usage,” stated Westlund.
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The tent is a pilot undertaking between the town and Kelowna’s Gospel Mission, who’ve outreach workers continually monitoring folks sheltering outdoors.
“Our team provides breakfast and dinner at the warming tent and once service is done there, they head to the downtown core,” stated Troy McKnight, Kelowna Gospel Mission.
“They go looking for people who are living unsheltered in our community, checking for signs of hypothermia or exposure, they’re able to provide them with warming blankets and toques.”
Gospel Mission workers proceed that work on the warming tent, by the evening.
“We have two outreach staff who stay overnight with one security person, to care for people they’re also looking for signs of hypothermia,” stated McKnight.
The primary evening on the tent, based on the town, was successful.
“We checked in Tuesday morning, we checked in with everyone involved in it, we had no issues, we didn’t have anything arise Monday night,” stated Westlund.
The warming tent is predicted to stay open till a minimum of Friday, and persons are urged to make use of any accessible shelter beds.
“Last I heard there are still some beds available and of course, we’re encouraging people to move into the shelter beds,” stated Westlund.
The rail path is house to 56 per cent of Kelowna’s unsheltered inhabitants.
