The White Rock Warming Centre will be open by the weekend, or, at the very latest, Monday, Dec. 2 at 7 a.m., with a large community volunteer contingent signed up to help it run smoothly.
That's the word from city recreation and culture director John Woolgar, who has taken the lead in facilitating the opening of the daytime centre at Centennial Park and coordinating volunteer help to make sure the centre and immediate environment remains a welcoming, clean and orderly space.
At council's Monday (Nov. 25) meeting, Woolgar reported the portable shelter and the portable washrooms were delivered to the site last Friday, and the city was in the process of completing the electrical and water hook-ups as well as conducting building inspections.
The Lookout Housing and Health Society has completed hiring for the centre and was finishing training and orientation of new staff, he added.
"I'm very excited to report that a total of 47 volunteers have signed up to participate in the Warming Centre Park Ambassador program," he said.
"The volunteers' primary role is to have a presence in the park and help ensure the area is free from litter, and report any inappropriate activities to the police."
Volunteers attended a training session last week to review their roles and responsibilities, with a focus on personal safety, he said.
Representatives of the Lookout Housing and Health Society, Engaged Communities Canada and the RCMP were all on hand to assist with training, he noted.
Mayor Megan Knight – who had voted against returning the centre to Centennial Park as a result of complaints about litter and drug paraphernalia in the area last year – said she was happy to hear that so many volunteers have signed up.
"Hopefully it pans out because I'm already getting upset emails from people (asking) why did we put it in the park, which I knew would happen," she said.
"I'm happy to hear that many people are stepping forward, and I hope it all works out."
