As cold snap continues, Pioneer Hall to open for another two nights
Update, Tuesday, Feb. 22: An emergency severe weather shelter will remain open Thursday and Friday nights, the city of Ashland announced Tuesday morning. It had been scheduled to close Thursday morning. Hours of operation remain the same. For more information, call Linda Reid at 541-552-2043 or Avram Sacks at 541-220-7307.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service forecast for Ashland called for lows of 14, 18, 20 and 24 degrees Tuesday through Friday nights, respectively, and highs of 42, 43, 48 and 53 for Wednesday through Saturday. Days are expected to be sunny.
Original post, Saturday, Feb. 19:
Forecast calls for snow, low of 15 degrees Tuesday night
By Bert Etling, Ashland.news
Snow could fall on the Rogue Valley floor on Sunday, prompting the city of Ashland to open an emergency shelter at Pioneer Hall.
Ashland City Manager Joe Lessard authorized the shelter to open Sunday, Feb. 20, through Wednesday, Feb. 23. Doors to the shelter will be open between 5 and 9 p.m. on Sunday, with lights out at 10 p.m. The shelter closes at 9 a.m. the following day for each of the days the shelter is open.
“This will be a no frills shelter, please plan on providing your own bedding,” a news release stated.
High temperatures Sunday through Wednesday will be 46, 42, 39 and 39, respectively, with lows of 32, 25, 15 and 18, respectively, according to the National Weather Service.
The shelter will observe COVID-19 safety protocols as set in place by the CDC, including social distancing and masks. Masks will also be available on site.
Children and pets are welcome at the shelter.
For more information on the emergency shelter, contact Linda Reid, housing program specialist, at 541-552-2043.
Pioneer Hall was not used as a shelter after an engineering report in 2017 recommended the roof be replaced or reinforced to support a heavier snow load. An ad hoc city committee report presented to and accepted by the City Council on Sept. 21, said “neither is recommended or considered necessary” and that the hall, as well as neighboring Community Center, are in “better shape than anticipated.” The council agreed to reopen the hall.
Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at betling@ashland.news or call him at 541-631-1313. Ashland.news reporter Holly Dillemuth contributed to this report.
