THUNDER BAY — "Everything is lifted off me when I come here."
That's how Kyle Watson describes the relief he feels for having access to the new warming centre established by the City of Thunder Bay on Victoria Avenue.
"We need more of this in Thunder Bay. It gets people off the streets for a bit. It's great," Watson said.
The centre opened on Jan. 15, and is operated for the city by the mental health and addictions non-profit People Advocating for Change Through Empowerment (PACE).
Watson complimented the staff who work at the warming centre, calling them helpful and accessible.
City council approved up to $66,000 for the facility after hearing warnings that the COVID-19 pandemic was straining the limited resources of existing shelters and other aid organizations.
The centre operates seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and so far is serving between 60 and 75 people daily.
Traffic is heavier in the evening than during the daytime hours.
After undergoing COVID screening in a vestibule, they are allowed inside where snacks and beverages are available.
Clients can use one of three computers, watch TV or play solitaire, but COVID-19 protocol requires that physical distancing be maintained at all times.
Users can stay as long as they like unless there's a lineup outside the door, in which case they are asked to limit their stay to half an hour so that everyone gets a chance to warm up.
Georgina McKinnon, executive director of PACE, said the centre is working well because of the hard work of her staff and volunteers from the local group Hope for Change.
About 80 per cent of the clients that PACE serves are homeless.
"Our hearts break for them. We're really happy to be able to do this, and we thank the city for giving us the funding to make it happen."
McKinnon said there have been no serious issues of any kind involving clients.
"They're very appreciative of it. We haven't had any incidents. We have the police bringing people to us. We feed them, and they leave here feeling better than when they got here."
With local malls being closed, she said there's no place for homeless people to go in the daytime, except to other shelters which are periodically shut down for cleaning or meal preparation.
"PACE gives them a place to go when there's really no other place," McKinnon said.
She added that since the warming centre is already proving its usefulness, she's already planning to make recommendations for a similar service next winter.
