(Image Credit: File Photo / CFJC Today)

By Curtis Goodrum

EXTREME COLD WEATHER BEDS

Increased need for cold weather shelter beds puts strain on providers

Feb 18, 2026 | 6:12 PM

KAMLOOPS – On Saturday (Feb. 14) extreme cold weather beds were opened once again for those needing them across the city. The response measure allows groups like the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in Kamloops to temporarily add extra beds in their shelters when the temperatures meets the threshold.

Elsewhere in Kamloops, Out of the Cold has been operating at the former Stuart Wood Elementary School and has noticed a large need in the community in recent years.

“What we’ve definitely seen year after year is a growing number of folks needing shelter services. This year is another example of how much support is actually needed. Every single night we’ve had above the count of folks needing and requesting beds without the beds to be able to provide them. Last week we were seeing 68 folks for 35 beds,” said Renee Stein, the Executive Director of Out of the Cold. 

The extreme cold weather shelter beds allow groups like CMHA Kamloops to give more space to people in the evening, but they say that without a daytime space in the city, they are forced to send people back out into the cold.

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“We can kind of pack them a little bit over sort of normal capacity. It’s not ideal, and then obviously, in the morning, all of that extra capacity has to leave. That’s why there is so much importance on getting a day space for Kamloops,” said Brett Mineer, the communications engagement coordinator at CMHA Kamloops. 

CMHA has extra capacity in three shelters, but Mineer says they’re struggling keep staff healthy from illness. Despite this, the shelters will remain operational 24/7.

“It’s going to be Merit Place, Rosethorn and the Emerald Centre. It’ll always be those three,” reiterates Mineer, “Envision (shuttle service) will go and pick people up and find them where they are. RCMP might bring people in. We make sure they’re taken care of.”

Similarly, Out of the Cold says they plan for weeks like this one and are prepared to give those who need it a place to stay warm. 

“We do provide the only warming space in town, you know, between 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. That means even above our bed count number, we take anybody else requiring services. If they need to come in and warm up, they need gloves, they need a jacket, and they need a warm meal. We still take folks in. Out of the cold does have a different operational system, but we plan,” said Stein. 

The extra beds around Kamloops will be offered until temperatures get closer to zero.