The first extreme cold warning for 2025 was a good time to roll out the mobile warming service in Lloydminster for a test run.
The bus from Border City Connects seats 15 people and has a few stops across the city including near the CN Rail tracks, the east side 7-Eleven, and near New Delhi Restaurant. It runs from about 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. and will roll when the temperature falls below minus 30C with the wind chill.
“The first few times have gone relatively smoothly,” says Tyler Lorenz, executive director for Residents in Recovery.
He is concerned that the bus will not roll out until it gets below minus 30C.
“More must be done to support our vulnerable residents. Once again, the burden has been placed on the nonprofits supporting this population in the absence of a permanent plan.”
He notes, “Agencies that are already stretched thin are being called out at all hours to support our most vulnerable, as a result of past decisions. I feel the mobile warming service is a bare minimum and costly service that has potential but not at the temperatures and times it is activated right now.”
The City of Lloydminster is spending about $100,000 on the service which is being coordinated by the Lloydminster & Vermilion for Equity Street Team.
City staff are finalizing contracts with the program operators for the service to continue until the end of March.
