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The city is opening extra warming centres ahead of New Year’s Eve as Toronto is set to see extreme cold temperatures.
In a news release Wednesday, Toronto Shelter and Support Services said Cecil Community Centre, located at 58 Cecil St., and Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre, located at 870 Queen St. E., will open at 5 p.m.
The move comes as Environment Canada predicts a low of -15 C in Toronto Wednesday, which with wind chill will feel like -20 C overnight. Environment Canada’s website also states there is a 60 per cent chance of flurries this evening, with northern winds gusting up to 50 km/h.
The two extra warming centres will open in addition to five others that are already currently open:
- 136 Spadina Rd. (South of Dupont Street).
- 81 Elizabeth St. (Behind City Hall, west of Bay Street, south of Dundas Street W.).
- 349 George St. (East of Jarvis Street, south of Gerrard Street E.).
- 12 Holmes Ave. (Off of Yonge Street, south of Finch Avenue E.).
- 885 Scarborough Golf Club Rd. (East of Markham Road, south of Ellesmere Road).
Warming centres are meant to give those who are vulnerable or experiencing homelessness a warm indoor place to rest, where they can access meals, washrooms and referrals to shelter and community services, the city said in Wednesday’s release.
Walk-ins are welcome and people will be transported to a different warming centre if the one they go to is already at capacity, the city said.
It said additional outreach teams have also been deployed throughout Toronto.
