As the Sunshine Coast anticipates the third heat wave of the season, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is once again making facilities available to help the public stay cool.
On Wednesday, Aug. 11, the Gibsons and Area Community Centre, Sechelt Aquatic Centre and Pender Harbour Aquatic & Fitness Centre opened their doors to the public as temperatures between 29 and 35 degrees Celsius are predicted through Sunday morning.
At the cooling centres, residents will be offered a cool place to sit down and bottled water.
In Gibsons, the facility will be open between 6 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, as well as 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
The Town of Gibsons will also have several watering stations available as of Thursday at 9 a.m. The stations will be at the bus stop in front of the Kube Art Gallery (875 Gibsons Way) and near the Winegarden Park bus stop shelter (300 block of Gower Point Road). Bottled water will be available, according to a press release, and the public can fill their own water bottles or drinking containers.
In Pender Harbour, the cooling centre will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.
The Sechelt location will be open between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
In the Town of Gibsons’ press release, Mayor Bill Beamish said temporary water stations were well utilized during the extreme heat at the end of June. The town also suggested using public spaces that have air-conditioning, such as the library and Sunnycrest Mall.
The “significant” heat wave with hotter-than-normal temperatures has the potential to increase heat-related illnesses. Vancouver Coastal Health recommends monitoring for symptoms, especially in young children, people with health conditions, and the elderly.
Everyone is reminded to stay cool, hydrate and check in on others.
