The first wave of winter is expected to descend on the Tri-Cities this weekend, with temperatures possibly dipping to zero.
And that has homeless advocates, city workers and transportation authorities announcing plans for dealing with a big chill.
The city of Port Coquitlam has issued a public service announcement urging people to prepare their emergency kits and make plans for dealing with ice and snow, including contact information for snow removal and waste issues.
“The city’s snow and ice removal fleet and equipment are ready to go when needed. The city is monitoring road temperatures daily to determine when brining is required,” the press release states, also recommending people go to the city’s website (www.portcoquitlam.ca/snow) as Environment Canada predicts a chance of flurries Friday night and possibly next Tuesday.
MORE EQUIPMENT
Both Port Moody and Coquitlam have issued reports on how they will deal with snow removal, with PoMo calling for more equipment and improved communication between staff and police and enhanced training for staff.
Coquitlam, meanwhile plans to equip four more large pick up trucks with plows and salters to clear the roads.
(School District 43 did not provide information on its winter equipment and snow clearing plans before The Tri-City News’ deadline).
TransLink held a press conference Thursday to outline its winter weather plans and reflect on lessons learned from last winter’s record-breaking weather while the province announced that a new cable collar system will be installed on the Alex Fraser Bridge, similar to one employed on the Port Mann Bridge, to prevent ice bombs from dropping on cars.
SHELTERS OPEN
Local shelters are also planning for winter weather with extra beds for people without housing.
BC Housing is funding 30 winter response shelter spaces at the permanent shelter at 3030 Gordon Ave. in Coquitlam that will be open 24/7 Nov. 15 and run through the end of March. This is in addition to the 30 self-contained transitional studio units for longer stays and 30 permanent shelter beds for individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
As well, there will be 20 temporary mats available for people to sleep on at Trinity United Church in Port Coquitlam if temperatures dip below zero. Those who arrive at Trinity will be allowed to stay from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., with volunteers providing a hot meal in the evening, a light breakfast in the morning and a bagged lunch to go.
Sandy Burpee, who coordinates the extreme weather response, said Trinity is waiting for the mats to arrive before it can open its temporary shelter, which only operates when the weather is extremely cold and damp. Still, he is not certain how many people will use the 20 mats at Trinity now that the dorm beds are open this winter at 3030 Gordon.
“The question was do we even need extreme weather beds. I think ‘yes.’ Last year, police would bring in people late at night who were not sheltered. I know they will want to have that capacity available to them.”
But he said opening up the dorm beds for the entire winter at the permanent shelter is a good idea because it gives people a place to stay during the day.
“As far as the neighbourhoods’ concerns, doing away with the coming and going is a benefit,” Burpee said.
• The story is corrected: an earlier version said the 24/7 dorm beds at 3030 Gordon were already open. In fact, they won't be open until Nov. 15.
