Where to warm up in Fort Erie as extreme cold grips the region
January 23, 2026 at 4:40 AM
Fort Erie residents seeking to escape the cold can utilize four public indoor spaces as warming options, including the Fort Erie Leisureplex and all three branches of the Fort Erie Public Library. The locations offer places to sit, warm up and access basic services during a stretch of snowy and windy winter weather.
A winter weather advisory has been declared for Niagara, expected to remain in effect until February 3, as temperatures are forecasted to continue falling below -10 C.
The Fort Erie Leisureplex opens its doors at 7 a.m. seven days a week, and closing time depends on the last hockey game of the day, typically around 9 p.m., said Tammy Horinga, front desk and operations.
The Leisureplex has washrooms, water fountains, bench seating in the atrium and a walking track above the Kinsmen Rink.
“It’s a public place where they should feel safe and be able to come in and warm up out of the elements, like the snow and the wind and rain,” Horinga told Fort Erie Radio.
Rules include no alcohol, no drug use and no dogs or animals unless it is a service dog.
At the Fort Erie Public Library, the Centennial and Crystal Ridge branches share the same hours, with both open 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, said Lisa Cowan, a library assistant at the Centennial branch.
Cowan said visitors can use the washrooms, fill water bottles, charge cellphones at a charging station and use the public computers. The Crystal Ridge branch also has a coffee machine the public is welcome to use.
The library’s rules include no alcohol or drugs, following the library’s code of conduct and requiring children under 12 to be accompanied by an adult.
“Unfortunately, our homeless population is growing,” Cowan said, noting that limited transportation can be a barrier for people trying to get to indoor spaces during cold weather.
The Stevensville branch is open Mondays and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., said Lise Babcock, library staff at the Stevensville branch.
Babcock said Stevensville offers seating, public computers, reading materials and an early literacy station with apps and games for children.
“To help protect the most vulnerable members of our community, that’s part of our jobs,” said Babcock. “We want people to feel safe, welcomed, cared for, to the best of our ability.”
In response to the winter weather advisory, Niagara Region Homelessness Services has a response plan for people experiencing homelessness, with emergency overnight beds open in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Welland.
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About The Author
Andrew Hawlitzky
Andrew is a Niagara community journalist who has covered everything from local politics to annual festivals and breaking news. He works to make local news a platform where community voices lead the conversation. "If you don't like the news, go out and make some!"
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