“For really stepping up and making that facility available We had to do a few things to get it ready to act as a warmng centre with these things in place now we’re good to go.”
Pine added, “We’ve allocated $100,000 towards the operation this year of the warming centre. We’ve done the same for Quinte West and the Town of Bancroft, if we can find a location in Bancroft to have a warming centre there. Quinte West of course is up and operating.”
He also pointed out, “I think that there will be a discussion coming up at the Joint Services Committee with the municipalities regarding a better way to handle the situation.”
“We’ll be leading it from the county perspective on looking at a more permanent way to deal with warming centres and shelters so that we have certainty year to year.”
Pine said, “It’s getting more and more important, of course, because of the growth in the needs population. The vulnerable population needs this kind of service. Expect to see a lot more discussion about where we go from here and into the future on both taking care of shelter needs and warming centre needs in the cold weather months.”
Regarding a possible warming centre in Bancroft he noted, “They (staff) are looking at an option right now at a particular location. Whether that will work out or not I can’t tell you but they’ve been looking extremely hard to try and find a suitable location. I understand that there’s one that’s getting a good look right now so hopefully that will work out. I can’t say for sure. Staff are working on it right now.”
