Saturday's cold temperatures, high winds and blowing snow resulted in the Town of Cobourg extending hours of operation for the downtown bus terminal at 35 Albert St. to shelter those caught off-guard and unable to attain alternative shelter that evening.
The regular shelter hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the town expressed its gratitude to the community volunteers who came together to make the extended opening possible.
And as extreme weather becomes more the seasonal norm, the town is preparing to respond to these conditions with temporary warming shelters at public buildings during regular office hours. The press release listed four options.
Victoria Hall (55 King St. W.), which is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays
Cobourg Police Station (107 King St. W.), which is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cobourg Public Library (200 Ontario St.), which is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays
Cobourg Community Centre (750 D'Arcy St.), which is open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Emergency shelter services for those experiencing homelessness are provided by Transition House in the Town of Cobourg. Members of the community can access emergency shelter services through the co-ordinated entry system managed by Transition House, either through local agencies or through self-referral.
Transition House continues to be the primary resource in place for those in need of emergency shelter services, which can be accessed by those in immediate need at 10 Chapel St. (or call 905-372-9562).
Another resource opens in Cobourg Dec. 5, when overnight warming-room services will be available at St. Peter's Anglican Church (240 College St.), where residents in need of shelter from the cold can take refuge and access washrooms and light refreshments. It will be open daily from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. through the end of March.
This service is provided by Transition House in partnership with St. Peter's, with funding from Northumberland County. For more information, call Transition House.
If you are homeless or need help finding more suitable housing, you can contact:
Northumberland County Community and Social Services at 905-372-6846 or 1-800-354-7050 ext. 2001
Salvation Army Community and Family Services at 905-373-9440 or 1-866-865-0678
The Help Centre of Northumberland at 905-372-2646 or 1-888-698-3382
