The B.C. government is funding eight extreme weather shelter spaces in Parksville this winter to help those whose health and safety may be threatened by cold, wet weather.
According to a news release issued by the B.C. government the temporary spaces, located at the Salvation Army (187 Alberni Highway), will be available from now until March 31, 2015 as extreme weather alerts are issued for the area.
"People at risk during extreme winter weather need a warm and dry roof over their heads," said Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell in the news release.
Each community decides what weather conditions warrant an alert and how many spaces to activate on a given night, depending on the capacity of existing shelters and the estimated need. Throughout the province, the B.C. government will provide up to $1.6 million this winter to make more than 1,100 temporary emergency shelter spaces serving more than 90 communities.
— B.C. government news release