Downtown Pickering arena offered as warming centre as temperatures plunge to -18 Saturday night

With temperatures expected to dip to -18 C Saturday night – zero on the old Fahrenheit scale – Pickering has opened up Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex as a designated warming centre.

Cold Weather Alerts are issued by the Durham Region Health Department when Environment Canada forecasts a temperature of -15°C or colder, and/or a wind chill of -20 or colder.

Durham’s Health Department does not have a cold weather warning listed on its website but a spokesperson for the City of Pickering said the region sent the alert to the city earlier Friday to prepare for the cold weather and implement needed cold response plans.

This warning is expected to be in effect until Sunday and will be extended as necessary. While the cold weather warning is in effect, the downtown arena will be used as a warming centre. Leashed pets are welcome provided they are well controlled by their owner.

The recreation complex is open Friday, December 20 until 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.