Cold snap prompts Tri-City municipalities to open warming hubs

Most civic centres in the Tri-Cities will partially transform into warming centres tomorrow, Jan. 12, as temperatures are expected to drop to -20°C with wind chill.

This week, Environment Canada issued an Arctic outflow warning that is expected to last from tonight, Jan. 11, to Saturday afternoon, Jan. 13.

That means frostbite and hypothermia can happen within minutes for someone who is outside, the agency advises.

Tri-City residents can avoid the cold by dropping into these locations:

Coquitlam

• City Centre Aquatic Complex (1210 Pinetree Way)
  • Friday
    • 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. 
  • Saturday
    • 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. 
  • Sunday
    • 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Parking fees are waived during warming centre activation

• Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St.) 
  • Friday
    • 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
  • Saturday
    • 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
  • Sunday
    • 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Parking is free at PSLC.

Port Coquitlam

Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.) will have a warming centre open from Friday, Jan. 12 to Saturday, Jan. 13 during regular business hours:

• Friday
  • 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturday
  • 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Pets are welcome, but they must be leashed or in a kennel.

Port Moody

• Port Moody Recreation Complex (300 Ioco Rd.)
  • Open during regular business hours.
• City Hall (100 Newport Dr.)
  • Open during regular business hours.

During the cold snap, Tri-City residents are also asked to check in with their elderly and disabled neighbours.

Call 2-1-1, a free and confidential service that connects British Columbians with community services such as basic needs like food and shelter, mental health and addictions support, legal and financial assistance, and supports for seniors and new Canadians.

Meanwhile, TransLink is also getting ready for the winter weather by coordinating snow-clearing with municipalities, equipping buses with tire socks on parts of its steeper routes with snowfall and replacing articulated buses with conventional 40-foot buses on some routes.

As well, the Coast Mountain Bus Company is piloting new winter-rated tires with a different tread pattern on one-third of its fleet.

Rails to carry SkyTrain cars are also being de-iced, and trains will run overnight to prevent snow buildup in the guideway; walkways at SkyTrain and West Coast Express stations will also be salted and sanded.