This section will be updated with dates, times and locations when the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) opens an extreme cold weather warming centre. 

What is an extreme cold weather event? 
Extreme cold is a major risk to public health and safety, creating possible life-threatening conditions including hypothermia, frostbite, and respiratory issues. Exposure to low temperatures over time can also increase the risk of heart attacks, respiratory issues, and dehydration, especially when individuals are unable to properly protect themselves. 

How are extreme cold weather response efforts funded?
Extreme cold weather response efforts are funded by the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) as time-limited, temporary warming centre spaces and outreach efforts that are provided during extreme cold weather to provide a low barrier warming space to those in need. Under the Assistance to Shelter Act, extreme weather conditions are defined based on the forecast from Environment Canada. EMCR funded warming centres may be established when extreme cold weather conditions exist, as outlined in the Assistance to Shelter Regulation.

How is an extreme cold weather event announced? 
RDN Emergency Services issues a public notice on the RDN website, shares it to local media, on RDN social media and through relevant community support organizations. Local police are also alerted and asked to assist persons at risk due to extreme weather conditions. RDN then gathers information, coordinates support and connects with community partners to assist those most impacted by setting up an extreme cold weather warming centre. 

How cold does it have to be for an Extreme Cold Weather Centre to activate?  
During extreme cold weather events, the RDN decision to activate a warming centre is based on the criteria set by Assistance to Shelter Act. Thresholds for extreme cold weather that might trigger activation of a warming centre on Vancouver Island are:

• Environment Canada is forecasting, for the next 24-hour period, a temperature of –4° Celsius or lower as the lowest temperature for that period.
• According to Environment Canada, the temperature currently is –4° Celsius or lower.
• Environment Canada, for the next 24-hour period, is forecasting a temperature of 0° Celsius or lower as the lowest temperature for that period and has issued a weather warning.
• According to Environment Canada the temperature currently is 0° Celsius or lower and Environment Canada has issued a weather warning.

Service provider, facility availability and funding approval from EMCR are also pre-requisites for activation. 

What is the difference between a warming shelter and a warming centre? 

Warming Centres are temporary low-barrier drop-in spaces activated as a life-safety measure during periods of extreme cold (based on Assistance to Shelter Act thresholds). Services are delivered by local service providers to offer a safe, warm, dry place of refuge with access to washroom facilities, a seating area, snacks and refreshments. No sleeping areas or registration requirements. Funding is authorized by EMCR. Emergency shelters are temporary but immediate places to stay for anyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness. BC Housing offers three types of emergency shelters across B.C. with partners.

Bowen Park Complex: 500 Bowen Road

Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Saturday, Sunday - Closed

Beban Social Centre: 2300 Bowen Road 

Sunday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Nanaimo Ice Centre: 750 Third Street

Sunday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Oliver Woods Community Centre: 6000 Oliver Road

Sunday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

All drop-ins are welcome under the terms of the City of Nanaimo Facility Use Code of Conduct.

All drop-in are welcome under terms of VIRL's code of conduct

Nanaimo Harbourfront - 90 Commercial Street
Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Nanaimo North - 6250 Hammond Bay Road
Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nanaimo Wellington Branch - 3200 North Island Highway

Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

19 Nicol Street

Provides daytime programming and space for current shelter guests only

Seven days per week

520 Prideaux Street

This shelter includes 24 overnight emergency shelter beds for men and women. It will operate until May 2025, from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m., Seven days a week.

Email: risebridgeproject [at] gmail.com (risebridgeproject[at]gmail[dot]com )  Phone: 250-268-8428

19 Nicol Street

Offers 24 emergency shelter beds available for adult males who are homeless. 

Phone: 250-714-1142

595 Townsite Road

Provides shelter for men, women, pets as well as storage.  Low barrier, but drugs and alcohol may not be consumed on the premises.

Open 5 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., seven days a week. 

Phone: 205-754-3720  Email: unitarianshelter [at] nflabc.org

301 Machleary Street

Open November 2, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

Has 40 shelter beds for men and women. Shelter services are provided during winter months only from 8 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., seven days a week. No drugs or alcohol permitted. Guests are asked to enter from the back laneway.

St. Peter’s Winter Shelter (direct line): 250-591-5600

Nanaimo Family Life Association (office hours only): 250-754-3331

For at-risk youth from 12 to 18 years of age. No drugs or alcohol are allowed on the premises.

Phone: 250-753-8266

Offers an extreme weather shelter in partnership with Maranatha Church and BC Housing on days with a high of zero degree weather or other extreme weather circumstances. 

Phone: 250-797-0531

702 Nicol Street

Open 24 hours, seven days a week for women only, 19 years of age and up. Please call for more information.

Phone 250-753-1474

Provides an enhanced bagged lunch program handed out from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Monday to Friday, through community outreach and at the Caledonia Park Showers. Each bagged lunch equals two servings.  Also distributes hot meals Monday to Friday, at the Caledonia Park Showers and seven days a week by outreach.

Phone: 250-797-0531

Provides a brown bag lunch to go that is served by community volunteers to those in need during the hours of 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., seven days per week. All meals are offered at no charge at a variety of locations. For more information see www.wisteriacommunityassociation.com

Mobile Service Phone: 250-591-6443

Food is available to individuals with no income or address check required for service, seven days a week in Nanaimo through 13 free food markets. Dates, times and locations of can be found at www.nanaimoloavesandfishes.org

Phone: 250-754-8347

100 Chapel Street 

Lunch is provided by Nanaimo Foodshare every Monday between noon and 1 p.m.

On the third Tuesday of each month, grocery cards are provided for both individuals and families. This program begins at 9 am on the third Tuesday at the parish office and continues until they run out of grocery cards.

Phone: 250-753-2523

Lunches are provided Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.