After weeks of delay in setting up a daytime warming centre – and many appeals from local residents concerned about the vulnerability of the unhoused during extremes of winter weather – a majority of White Rock council has decided to endorse re-establishing the centre in Centennial Park.
The location was approved on a motion from Coun. Ernie Klassen, with only Coun. David Chesney opposed.
In a four-to-three split vote Monday, council also approved a motion from Coun. Elaine Cheung to endorse all other recommendations of an updated report from chief administrative officer Guillermo Ferrero.
These include operating the centre daily from Nov. 1 to mid-March, increasing the existing budget to allow for this (out of surplus funds from last year) and also hiring security staff to patrol the centre area, as well as directing city staff to coordinate setting up a volunteer community group for regular cleanup in the vicinity.
Cheung said she was moving all the remaining recommendations together because she was not comfortable re-establishing the centre without hiring security.
She said she also agreed with an earlier statement by Coun. Michele Partridge that having the centre operating daily would make most sense, as those using the centre would likely gather there every day anyway, even when conditions are not extreme.
But she also urged people who had come to council to plead for the warming centre to get involved in the suggested community volunteer group.
"I hope you guys will sign up, because then we will show the community is coming together," Cheung said.
Partridge, and Couns. Bill Lawrence and Ernie Klassen supported Cheung's motion.
"Given that we received almost $100,000 last year in funds from donations as well as from the (provincial) government, I would assume that we will receive at least an equal amount from the government this year," Klassen said, adding that he believed this meant council would not have to look for extra money to fund daily operations or security.
"Last year we had a very mild winter, so I would actually go one step further and assume we will receive more funding (from the province) than we did last year, to compensate...Somewhere that money that we are reimbursed from the government needs, in my mind, to be allocated or at least recognized that that money was meant for the warming shelter."
Chesney, Mayor Megan Knight and Coun. Christopher Trevelyan, while supporting an extreme weather shelter in principle, all voted against Cheung's motion.
They said they were balking at providing daily operation, preferring service provided only on emergency extreme weather days, for which the province will reimburse costs to the community.
"I'm less concerned about the money, but I've also heard many complaints from constituents about issues of an increase in drug dealing, of paraphenalia being left out, and incidents in bathrooms at Centennial Arena, and I'm concerned about that," Trevelyan said.
Chesney said had visited the Extreme Weather Response shelter at the South Surrey Recreation Centre during last weekend's atmospheric river event.
"I made a point of going to the (shelter) three nights in a row," Chesney said.
"First night - nine people, second night - eight people, third night - six people. That's what I was told by the (staff), that's the number of people they had overnight," he noted.
(Chesney's figures were later disputed by EWR volunteers in the audience, including Pat Heslop, who told Peace Arch News the numbers might have been miscommunicated by new Options staff and were actually nine, 16 and 8 for the three nights, for a total of 33.)
"The extreme weather option is the one I'd support," Chesney said.
"Surrey has shut us down, the province has shut us down, the federal government has shut us down. It's a tremendous expenditure for the people of White Rock."
In his report to council, Ferrero said the approach ultimately endorsed by council would "ensure a seamless and effective operation for the upcoming season."
A suggestion that SOURCES Community Resources could provide two possible locations for the daytime warming centre in South Surrey, discussed at the Oct. 7 regular council meeting, was found unworkable after further analysis and consultation, Ferrero reported.
Consequently, Ferrero's report doubled down on original staff recommendations, including continuing the warming centre on a daily basis between Nov. 1, 2024 and March 15, 2025.
Recommended was awarding the contract for the warming centre to the previous applicant, Lookout Housing and Health Society (for $409,970.41, which exceeds the budgeted amount of $360,000).
The report also advocated strongly for re-establishing the centre at Centennial Park, previously vigorously opposed by Knight, who had cited residents' concerns about safety and security in that location, which is near many child- and youth-oriented facilities, including the Generations Playground.
"Given the challenges associated with securing a new site and the consistent feedback emphasizing the need for accessibility and safety, staff recommends proceeding with the location at Centennial Park," Ferrero said.
He said that while the centre could be placed at an alternative location at council's discretion – he noted Centennial Park "may not be ideal" – he also pointed out it had been used for the past three years and "issues at this location (e.g. bylaw and safety concerns) would likely occur at any alternative site."
Also recommended in Ferrero's report were two new items – hiring extra security to patrol the surrounding area of the warming centre outside hours of operation (for which $30,000 would be allocated from the contingency budget and prior year surplus) and establishment of a warming centre volunteer group which could help with removing debris.
"Given the strong support from interest groups to help out and support the operations of a seasonal warming centre...staff recommends (a group) be established to help with general cleaning around the warming centre, as this was highlighted as one of the most common challenges," Ferrero said.
To cover the additional costs for the warming centre, Ferrero said staff recommended allocating another $49,970.41 – drawn from operating contingency, and from prior year surplus, for the 2025 portion of the costs.
Ferrero said efforts to secure reimbursement from the province (available for days of extreme cold) and through community support will continue.
"Ultimately, this approach balances fiscal responsibility with the city's commitment to providing essential services to vulnerable residents during extreme weather conditions," he said.
Earlier in the meeting council had heard from more residents who urged continuation of the daytime warming shelter as a matter of community conscience – while recognizing that it can only be a band-aid solution until the establishment of a permanent shelter with funding from other levels of government.
Elizabeth Winkler, of White Rock, said that she has been involved in helping and advocating for the unhoused as a member of the Peninsula United Church, and as administrator of the White Rock Free Pantry.
"These are challenging times and the issues are complex, but at the heart of it is our community's heart, " she said.
"(There is) a need for courage, to do what is needed for our most vulnerable, and fear cannot be welcomed...To do nothing is to betray all we stand for as compassionate citizens."
