Warming room gets an extra 13 days

By Cecilia Nasmith

The overnight warming room operated by the County of Northumberland at its building at 555 Courthouse Rd. will stay open another 13 days, following approval of the request at Wednesday's Cobourg council meeting.

The request came from county Chief Administrative Officer Dan Borowec, asking that the end date be changed from March 31 to April 13.

“Our request is based on the uncertainty of current weather conditions and the distinct possibility that snow and cold may well extend beyond the existing deadline and result in unnecessary hardship for those facing homelessness,” Borowec wrote.

The warming room operates under an amendment to the Town of Cobourg's Emergency Care Establishment Bylaw that Mayor Lucas Cleveland made clear to Northumberland County council would only be considered if its duration was no longer than Dec. 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. The county had originally wanted it operational Nov. 1 through April 30.

More recently, the county did get the town's co-operation to extend operating hours – originally 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., it has been open in recent weeks from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.