Guelph’s city hall no longer an overnight warming and cooling centre

Guelph City Hall is seen on Oct. 3, 2022. (Dan Lauckner/CTV Kitchener)

Guelph says city hall will no longer operate as an overnight heating and cooling centre for those experiencing homelessness.

The official end date is Monday, June 1.

An information report from the city listed several factors for the decision.

“City hall is not designed for this usage, especially during overnight hours, as it is not regularly staffed, nor is it equipped or properly staffed to safely provide the necessary amenities and supports that one would expect in an emergency shelter setting,” it said.

They also cited ongoing damage to the building and a lack of funds.

The building was designated an overnight warming and cooling centre during the pandemic and in response to capacity limits at other housing facilities in the city. At that time, when Environment Canada issued an extreme heat or cold weather alert, those living rough had limited options available. City hall helped bridge that gap.

Only a few people stopped by at the beginning. The city said they would stay for a few hours, then leave during the night.

Within the last year, however, there has been a significant increase in visitors. The city said many are now staying through the night and treating the building as an emergency shelter.

“Anecdotal reports indicated increased use of city hall was driven by an opportunity to take shelter at a location operating without the same rules as the emergency overnight shelter,” the report noted.

The building was used as a warming centre 14 times in the first three months of 2026.

During that period, they had to bring in two bylaw officers, a paramedic and additional cleaning staff.

“Guelph Police Service were also required to attend city hall’s overnight warming centre on a number of occasions due to behavioural issues with those using the space,” the report said.

The washrooms were often damaged, forcing staff to lock up facilities.

Drug use and paraphernalia were also an issue, as well as inappropriate sexual behaviour in the lobby.

The report said it cost $2,750 a night, on average, to run city hall as an overnight heating and cooling centre. That, they added, resulted in an estimate negative variance of just under $40,000.

The city also pointed out that Stepping Stone had room in their overnight shelter during those first three months of the year.

"We will continue to offer safe and welcoming low-barrier shelter to those in our community in need," Perrin Valli, Stepping Stone’s executive director, said in an email to CTV News.

City hall, meantime, will return to regular operating hours on June 1. Doors are open between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.