THUNDER BAY -- Elementary and secondary school students will stay home for a second straight day because of an ice storm that blanketed the region.
All three local school boards have decided to err on the side of precaution and keep kids out of class, with a freezing rain warning expected to continue into Thursday.
The closures mean all school sports have also been cancelled for the day. Board officials say to monitor local media and their social media accounts for updates as to Friday's school status.
Lakehead University has announced its Thunder Bay campus will remain closed on Thursday, also citing inclement weather.
Confederation College has followed suit, saying only essential services such as the cafeteria will be open. Both schools were also closed on Wednesday.
College officials advise students on work placement to check with their employers as to whether or not they're expected on the job. The school's child and family centre is also affected and will remain closed.
All city-run daycares will also be closed on Thursday, as will both Boys and Girls Club locations.
Also closed for a second straight day is the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. Officials, via Twitter, said they will reopen on Friday morning. The Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board offices will also not open for the day. Clients with appointments scheduled for Thursday are asked to phone their case worker on Friday to reschedule.
Lutheran Community Housing is also not open due to weather. The office of Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Patty Hajdu will be closed and the NorWest Community Health Centre.
City officials say garbage collection remains on hold for now, as staff continues to evaluate the weather conditions. An update is expected soon. On Wednesday the city suspended collection for the day, pushing it back 24 hours.
The news has affected the scheduled Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra show. International soloist Jennifer Koh was unable to make it to the city, meaning the city's own Gregory Lewis will step in for the Brahms Violinist Concerto Thursday night at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.
