Information Bulletin
For immediate release

Saanich, BC – Following the issuance of an Extreme Weather Alert (EWA) in the region, 20 Extreme Weather Response (EWR) overnight shelter beds have been made available in the District of Saanich.

The EWR shelter at Broadview United Church (3703 St. Aidan’s Street), operated by Our Place Society, is opening its doors to provide overnight shelter and support for unhoused residents. This initiative is supported by the District and funded through BC Housing’s EWR Program.

The spaces will remain available until the EWR activation criteria are no longer forecast to be met.

What is Extreme Weather Response sheltering?

Unlike nightly shelter spaces, which are available to guests every night for a period and are funded by BC Housing, EWR spaces become available when specific weather criteria are met. These criteria could include, but are not limited to, freezing temperatures, prolonged periods of rain, and snow.

Shelter spaces in Saanich

In-addition to the 20 EWR spaces available at Broadview, the Victoria Native Friendship Centre offers 50 shelter spaces (25 temporary winter shelter spaces and 25 permanent beds). 

Public warming centres in Saanich

The public is welcome to warm-up at any of the District’s recreation centres and municipal hall during operational hours.

Recreation centre locations:

• Saanich Commonwealth Place (4636 Elk Lake Drive)
• Gordon Head Recreation Centre (4100 Lambrick Way)
• Cedar Hill Recreation and Arts Centre (3220 Cedar Hill Road)
• G. R. Pearkes Recreation Centre (3100 Tillicum Road)

Please visit saanich.ca/recreation for updates about hours of operation and other facility information. Please note, during extreme weather hours may vary due to staffing levels.

Saanich Municipal Hall:

• Located at 770 Vernon Avenue and open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on statutory holidays).

Learn more

Visit saanich.ca and the District of Saanich social media channels for further updates.

For a map of all permanent, temporary and EWR shelters throughout communities in B.C., visit bchousing.org. The mapping resource is designed to display all active resources and does not showcase EWR sites until they are activated based on weather conditions.

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Media contact:
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca