In order to ensure that all evacuees have a place to stay and the support they need, the City of Calgary has opened a second reception centre for residents of Fort McMurray to go.

The second centre is at Ambrose University, located at 150 Ambrose Circle S.W.

Officials say that anyone without any family or friends in the Calgary area should register at this facility so they have somewhere to stay. They can also access a number of resources including clothing, food, transit passes, personal care items, medical resources and emotional wellness resources.

Any evacuees who are staying elsewhere in the city are also able to access these same resources through the offices there.

There is no information on how many evacuees can stay at Ambrose University and College.

The city says 450 people have registered at the two reception centres, with the other at SAIT, but that number is expected to rise throughout the day.

Officials say that if more reception centres are required, the city will make them available.

Those looking to register at the reception centre are reminded that pets are allowed and any pet supplies will be provided as necessary.

The Ambrose centre is the second shelter open for residents fleeing the wildfires in Fort McMurray. SAIT opened its doors on Thursday, offering 400 spots to house residents.

On Friday morning, SAIT said that all their spots have been filled.

"We are at capacity, so that's close to 400 people at campus," said Melanie Simmons, public relations specialist at SAIT. "We've had teams working around the clock to mobilize and support these people as best we can."

Simmons says a number of facilties are free for evacuees to use. "Our recreation facilities have been opened up for these evacuees. We've got our library with books, computers and phone chargers. The community of SAIT has rallied around."

There are a number of families who are staying at SAIT, and Simmons says they have a number of programs to help support them. "We're ramping up for summer camps so our summer camp coordinators are taking a lot of the kids for chunks of the days to do summer camp activities with them and give the parents a break."

Sonya Pickett, who escaped Beacon Hill as it was burning said she is so glad that she and her family made it out safely. "My daughter is nine months pregnant and ready to give birth at any time. It's been pretty stressful."

Pickett said she is staying at SAIT with her family while her daughter is staying with her common-law husband at his sister's in south Calgary. "We arrived in Calgary yesterday and we've got nothing but hospitality. We've been staying at the SAIT centre until our granddaughter arrives and we don't know where we're going from there."

She says that they made the choice to come to Calgary instead of the closer centres in Edmonton for a number of reasons. "We knew that Edmonton was filling up really, really fast. We felt more comfortable being here. Her common-law has a sister in Calgary. We have family in Sparwood - we just want to be close to everybody."

The Calgary Emergency Management Agency, CEMA, says that it is helping wherever it can.

Other reception centres are available at the following locations throughout the province:

  • Fort McKay – Fort McKay Business Centre
  • Lac La Biche – The Bolt Centre – 8702-91 Avenue
  • Edmonton – Northlands Grounds, Hall A – 7515-118 Avenue
  • St. Paul – Centennial Recreation Centre – 4802-53 Street
  • Moose Haven- 1, Janvier *expected to close May 5
  • Grasslands – Community Hall, Main Street
  • Drayton Valley – Omniplex – 5737-45 Avenue
  • Smokey Lake Reception Centre
  • Fort Chippewan Reception Centre *For First Nation Band Members only
  • Town of Athabasca Reception Centre – Athabasca Multiplex, #2 University Drive

As a reminder, these reception centres are not equipped to handle donations of goods, clothing or personal items. Volunteers are also not required.

The Red Cross has set up a call line for the public, for inquiries and to register call 1-888-350-6070.

To make a donation, call 1-800-418-1111 or visit the website HERE.

Click HERE for up-to-the-minute emergency information and contact numbers.

Mental health support is also available by calling Alberta’s 24-hour Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642.