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Extra beds added at Penticton shelter during cold snap

Nighttime temperatures are down to -20 C for those experiencing homelessness
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Shelter beds and mats have been added at Victory Church Shelter in Penticton to help during cold snap. (Western News file photo)

Penticton and District Society for Community Living has opened up extra beds for those experiencing homelessness during this freezing cold snap.

Temperatures have been dipping down to -20 C and colder during the night in Penticton since Christmas Day, making it dangerous and even potentially deadly for people to sleep outside.

“We have opened extra beds for the winter at Victory Shelter and we have cots and mats available to handle the extra people needing shelter during this cold snap,” said Tony Laing, CEO of Penticton and District Society for Community Living, which operates both Compass Court shelter on Main Street and Victory Church on Winnipeg Street.

There is no word about a warming centre in Penticton during the day. There may be one at the Victory Church shelter where they are in need of blankets, said shelter worker Tamra Lee.

Monday, Dec. 27 has been the coldest day so far this winter with temperatures hovering around -19 C with a windchill making it feel more like -26, according to Environment Canada.

Numerous emergency shelter spaces have been added as Kelowna braced for the cold snap that began Christmas Day.

BC Housing has collaborated with the Journey Home Society, the City of Kelowna and local shelter operators to add new spaces.

Both shelters at Richter and Doyle have added an additional 10 beds each. Cornerstone Shelter at 425 Leon Ave. has been renovated and increased its capacity by 16 beds.

READ MORE: Communities open extra beds to bring in homeless from cold

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
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