Cooling centre to help the vulnerable in Sudbury

08.10.2025 - Evie

By Alana Everson
Published: June 16, 2025 at 8:38PM EDT
www.ctvnews.ca/northern-ontario/article/cooling-centre-to-help-the-vulnerable-in-sudbury


“This will be a place where individuals can come by and cool off get out of the elements for a little while,” said Go-Give executive director Evie Ali.

“Have access to light snacks, beverages, washrooms and hopefully you know just to ease some of the struggles that comes with the summer heat.”

It’s the first time the city has funded a cooling centre. It will operate from June to the end of September at a cost of just under $400,000.


Officials said it’s responding to the need with more people living outdoors in Greater Sudbury.

“So we are seeing an increase in people experiencing homelessness,” said Gail Spencer, City of Greater Sudbury Manager of Housing Stability and Homelessness.

“Our current number is 317 on our by-name list and 199 people that we know of that are living outdoors in encampments.”

Mayor Paul Lefebvre said they are trying to keep people safe.

“We help the emergency room out and make sure that they have a place to go during the day sometimes in the really hot summers that we get,” Lefebvre said.

Officials said the cooling centre will also serve as a place of connection for people.

“I think it is really important, you know, that individuals have access to as many services as possible. So you know it’s a very open and safe space,” said Ali.

“If they don’t have a phone and they are living out in the community in encampments … having the cooling centre is another place where they can connect with people. Other partners could be Indigenous support partners, mental health support partners and addiction support partners,” said Spencer.

The Go Give Project operated a warming centre last winter in the same trailer. The cooling centre will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until Sept. 30.