Northumberland County council will hold a special meeting at a later date to determine the location of the Winter Warming Centre that is hoped to be operational from Nov. 1 to April 30.
That decision was made Wednesday as the 9:30 a.m. regular meeting had already run long before adjourning shortly before 4 p.m. Council had already opted to hold off discussing the topic until after a closed session item related to the warming centre was finished during the meeting.
The options, including County headquarters and 600 William Street in Cobourg as well as the Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre in Colborne and Fenella Hall near Roseneath, will be debated at the special County council meeting when it is scheduled. Read more here (https://todaysnorthumberland.ca/2025/10/14/northumberland-county-2025-2026-winter-warming-centres-to-be-discussed/)
In June, County council voted to shut down the 24/7 warming and cooling hub at 310 Division Street in Cobourg while also seeking to change the barrier level of the shelter. The approved motion included the stipulation put forth by Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland that any future hub could not be set up within the town unless on County property.
At Wednesday’s meeting, council voted to approve a delegation request from Jordan Stevenson who runs the local non-profit Integrated Homelessness and Addictions Response Centre (IHARC).
“I think the options presented are the result of staff being asked to work with their hands tied behind their back,” Stevenson said. “In putting it lightly, I think that they are making the best of a bad situation. I don’t think anybody can blame social services staff for any result that comes out of this. Whatever option is chosen is not ideal.”
Stevenson said real solutions are needed, not sustainment. Using security guards makes it a “glorified babysitting centre” while he advocates for professionals to work with the individuals.
Stevenson was concerned about rural options especially with transportation involved if there’s a crisis on the bus. He said he understands frustrations from Cobourg residents but believes issues should be addressed rather than shift it off to other communities.
“I really think we should tackle the problem head on and I think that’s supported among a number of individuals that I work with. I’d say about 80 to 90 per cent would support a lifestyle change – they want exit points – and it’s that 10 to 20 per cent remaining that are causing a number of issues, but again because of the public nature everybody gets painted with the same brush. If you look homeless, you are a drug-addicted criminal who’s going to steal my stuff from me or cause issues when that’s not necessarily the case.”
With the approval of delegations at the meeting, others also had an opportunity to speak.
Michelle Day joined the meeting electronically to share her opposition to the warming centre being set up at the Fenella Hall. There’s concern over response time for police and paramedics, the potential for theft in the area as well as the location with Fenella Hall being located right off of Highway 45.
“If any of them are on fentanyl or any other type of opioid drugs, the chances of them getting hit by a car…is very, very high,” she said. “There’s a lot of concerned people up here and we found out through Facebook that this meeting was happening and Fenella Hall was proposed. I think that the citizens up here should have some sort of say where 90 per cent of the people up here are seniors in that area and they have no way to defend themselves if there is a break-and-enter or something does happen. We’re just very, very concerned, not only for the locals, but for the people themselves – the addicts – or anybody that does come that’s not an addict. If anything’s to happen, there’s no medical treatment that’s going to come fast. Or if there is a fight, the police aren’t going to get there fast enough.”
Suggestions were made by a member of the gallery, but Warden Brian Ostrander reminded that council already decided it wouldn’t seek a location in Cobourg unless on County property.
Chance Brown, joining electronically, said he knew of 30 to 40 people who are homeless in Cobourg, noting there’s more in the County to consider.
“I really think there’s a huge decision that you guys have to make later today, if it hasn’t been made already, and really consideration of having that warming room in or around the Cobourg area with use of your own properties at the County should be greatly considered…I just want to provide that as an insight from my personal experience, living experience right here in Cobourg for almost nine years now.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
