Winter Warming

It is very important that we look out for each other during cold spells. Of special concern are our seniors and our citizens who are not able to escape the cold.

Please introduce a ‘buddy system’ and check on your family, friends, neighbours, seniors, fellow citizens and their pets to ensure they are not in any danger from this extreme cold.

100 More Homes, who receive financial support from the City of Penticton,  work with BC Housing to operate the temporary emergency shelter as needed within the city with support from the Penticton Overdose Prevention Society. 

Read more here

The South Okanagan Women in Need Society is also looking for donations of blankets and other goods. 

During the cold weather period, the City of Penticton has specific policies in place to ensure safety.

 Emergency Management BC has a checklist on how to be prepared for storms and, potentially, power outages.

The South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC) walking track is now available to provide a safe place for residents and visitors to get out of the cold for a time and warm-up.

All civic facilities such as City Hall, the Public Library and the Penticton Seniors’ Drop-in Centre are good options for people needing temporary relief from the cold during normal business hours .

• South Okanagan Events Centre Walking Track (835 Eckhart Avenue) is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The SOEC Walking Track is closed on event days and Holidays. For more information, visit https://www.soec.ca/arena-information/walking-track/.
• Penticton Community Centre (325 Power Street) will be open Monday to Friday between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.  and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 
• Penticton Public Library (785 Main Street) will be open 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Tues and Thurs) and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
• Penticton Seniors’ Drop-in Centre (2965 Main Street) will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday
• City Hall (171 Main Street): Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

During times of snow and ice, our Public Works crew strives to clear the roads, bus stops, select sidewalks and parking lots in a timely manner. Our crew clear roads on a priority basis, beginning with main arterials, steep hills, school zones and bus routes. This is followed by residential roads and cul-de-sacs, which we aim to clear to a safe and passable condition within 48 hours of the snow event.

Despite the efforts of a highly skilled snow removal crew, conditions can deteriorate and roads can become treacherous. 

The complete details on the City's policies and priorities can be found here

Check current highway conditions before heading out

Ice, sleet, missing lines and drifting snow all present challenges. DriveBC has tips on dealing with the various conditions. 

And Shift into Winter details on how to make sure your vehicle and, particularly, your tires are ready for the season.