Public safety association concerned about second downtown warming centre

Two additional city-funded warming centres will be opening in Nanaimo this month, one at the old Nanaimo Bakery on Bowen and Merrideth road operated by the Island Crisis Care Soceity, and the other at an old fire hall at 5 Victoria Road operated by the 7-10 Club.

All together, the three warming centres will provide a place for 138 people to seek shelter from the elements this winter. 

Risebridge’s warming centre opened Nov. 14 and capacity for 48 people, while the Victoria Road location has capacity for 30 people and will open on Dec. 22. The Bowen Road location wil have capacity for 60 people and open on Jan. 2. 

Nanaimo Area Public Safety Assocation’s president Collen Middleton says he is not against warming centres in principle but is concerned that having two located downtown will be a magent for street disorder and drug dealers.