City of Calgary removes Chinook LRT station shelter doors
Posted Dec 21, 2022 8:37 am.
Last Updated Dec 21, 2022 8:40 am.
The City of Calgary removed doors to three shelters at the Chinook LRT station amid the city’s cold snap, with no plans to reinstall them.
CityNews spoke with some people at the station, and many found it to be a poor response due to the extreme cold.
“I don’t think it’s really appropriate for them to be taking them off, especially in the minus 30s. And considering tonight is going to be in the negative 40s,” said one person.
“It makes it difficult for the average travelling person to use the LRT every day,” said another man. “We just have to grin and bear to live with it.”
“You can’t stand out here for 20 minutes. It’s not healthy,” said one person.
Inside one of Chinook LRT Station’s outdoor shelters in Calgary on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (Tate Laycraft, CityNews photo)
The decision comes amid increased shelter usage by people experiencing homelessness. The Chinook doors and the bus loop shelter doors at Somerset-Bridlewood CTrain station were removed last week.
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In a statement to CityNews, the city said the doors were removed to discourage Calgarians from gathering inside the shelters for long periods.
“There are no plans to reinstall right now, they were removed last week as we started to see increased gatherings,” the statement read.
A button to open the door of one of Chinook LRT Station’s outdoor shelters in Calgary on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (Tate Laycraft, CityNews photo)
The station at Chinook has its shelter closed from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. every day, adding that it has been a practice for the last two years.
The city hopes the decision will encourage people to access proper shelters with heat, washroom facilities and support resources. One Calgarian thinks the city should explore alternative measures.
“If you want to solve the problem, then bump up bylaws. Get more police out here and do something about it that way,” they said.
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued an extreme cold warning that remains in effect for Calgary, as extreme wind chill values of -40 C or colder will continue through the week.
For those concerned about someone’s safety in these cold conditions, you can get them help by calling 2-1-1.
