City to open temporary warming shelter as temperatures set to plummet overnight

A person sleeps under a blanket on Dundas Place in London, Ont. on Jan. 20, 2025 (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London)

With bitterly cold wind chills expected overnight Saturday, the city has activated a temporary warming centre in east London for those in need of a warm place to stay.

According to the City of London, a temporary warming centre will be set up at Boyle Memorial Community Centre, located at 530 Charlotte St., overnight Saturday.

The facility will operate on from 9 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. on Sunday, “providing a warm indoor space for individuals experiencing homelessness during this period of extreme cold weather,” the city says.

With temperatures expected to plummet to – 13C and feeling like – 23 with the wind chill, the Middlesex-London Health Unit has also issued a cold weather alert.

With all other shelters expected to be at capacity on Saturday night, the addition of a new warming shelter will allow the city to operate 60 extra spaces. The city will work with local service providers to coordinate transportation as needed to Boyle Memorial Community Centre.

All recreation programs, rentals, and drop-in activities at Boyle Memorial Community Centre are cancelled.

The city says staff will contact those affected to share details about cancellations or schedule changes, and related refund information. Recreation programming will resume as soon as possible once the activation ends and the facility has been cleaned.

A full list of warming centres can be found online.