Warming shelter opens in Rocky Mountain House

By Kaicheng Xin
Staff Reporter

The Clearwater Regional Housing Foundation, in partnership with organizations including Lord’s Food Bank and the Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter, has officially opened a new warming centre in Rocky Mountain House. The centre began operations on Jan. 13 and will be open nightly from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. at the food bank, following the acquisition of provincial funding.

Kandis Stradecki of the Clearwater Regional Housing Foundation announced that facility inspections are expected to be completed this month. Once completed, the mat program funded by the Town of Rocky Mountain House – triggered when temperatures drop below -20°C with wind chill — will allow individuals to sleep at the centre instead of merely sitting at tables. 

Additionally, the group is awaiting a building permit from the town to relocate a temporary animal shelter adjacent to the warming centre. Overnight, the shelter will provide light snacks and warm drinks, with operations expected to continue until the end of Easter weekend in April.

The working group continues to strive for additional funding to ensure the smooth operation of the centre.