City opens emergency cooling centres as heat wave begins

Sunset in Ottawa. Photo by Eric Galton via the OttawaStart Flickr Group.

A heat warning has been issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada for the City of Ottawa for today and into next week. Heat warnings mean extra precautions need to be taken by everyone. Some of the usual ways we cool off may not be available this summer because of measures put in place to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

It will be important to think ahead and plan for ways to stay cool and keep in touch with others who may not be able to stay cool, especially during a heat warning. Ottawa Public Health has information on how to Beat the Heat this summer. Heat illnesses are preventable. Residents are encouraged to stay cool at home using tips below such as cool showers and fans or air conditioning during the heat warning.

The City of Ottawa has set up five emergency cooling centres to provide relief from the heat to residents in need. The emergency cooling centers are set up to ensure users can practice proper physical distancing and will have access to washrooms and water. Residents should bring a cloth mask with them to the cooling centres if they have one.

Emergency cooling centres at the following City facilities will be open Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm:

• Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre: 102 Greenview Avenue
• Hunt Club Riverside Park Community Centre: 3320 Paul Anka Drive
• Hintonburg Community Centre, 1064 Wellington Street West
• Sandy Hill Community Centre: 250 Somerset Street East
• St-Laurent Complex: 525 Coté Street