THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay’s PACE warming centre has seen an increase in usage with the latest drop in temperature.
PACE will continue to run the warming centre until the end of March.
Executive director Georgina McKinnon said much more than the usual number of people have needed the warm space this season.
"Normally we see 100 to 120 people a day, now we're seeing 130 to 150 people a day," she said.
People were lining up at the door at 8 a.m. Wednesday morning to get into the warming centre according to McKinnon.
"Surprisingly enough we have been busy this year, it may not seem cold to us but if you're out there long-term, even minus four, you get pretty chilly,” she said.
“We quiet down in the afternoons once the suns out, but first thing in the morning and last thing at night, and now with these cold temperatures, you can see they're still here."
She added that extra staff and volunteers were called in to accommodate more people in the centre, especially with those in need at the door so early.
McKinnon said PACE has been busier due to more people coming to the city, but she expects it to quiet down with warmer temperatures on the way.
PACE can remain open until the end of April if the need is there and the weather remains cool, then staff will begin preparing for the summer -- when PACE operates as a cooling centre.
