Hot weather has blanketed the Tri-Cities this week creating concerns about vulnerable residents, including un-housed people and isolated seniors.
But all three cities are making their community centres open as cooling shelters to give people some reprieve during the heat wave.
A heat warning has been issued for Metro Vancouver, with temperatures expected to hit highs of between 32 C and 37 C and evening cooling to 17 C.
At this time, the hot weather is expected to last until Thursday, Aug. 17, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada, which issued the heat warning.
In Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody bylaw officers and other staff are expected to touch bases with seniors and hand out bottles of water to residents in need.
Here's where to go in the Tri-Cities for air-conditioned relief:
Coquitlam
Several facilities are currently operating as cooling centres during regular operating hours. Visit www.coquitlam.ca/facilities for hours of operation.
- Maillardville Community Centre, 1200 Cartier Ave.
- City Centre Aquatic Complex,1209 Pinetree Way
- Dogwood Pavilion, 1655 Winslow Ave.
- Glen Pine Pavilion,1200 Glen Pine Crt.
- Pinetree Community Centre, 630 Poirier St.
Coquitlam has posted a full list of spray parks and other heat-related advice on its website.
Nicole Kimmitt, risk and emergency manager, said bylaw officers will be handing out bottled water and heat-related information to vulnerable people on the streets and city staff will be connecting with seniors through ongoing programs and partners.
"We do always see an increase in usage (of city facilities and parks) as we see it get warm," said Kimmitt.
Port Coquitlam
Cooling centres are open in recreation facilities to provide relief for residents during regular operating hours Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Port Coquitlam Community Centre, 2150 Wilson Ave. (pet friendly)
- Hyde Creek Recreation Centre, 1379 Laurier Ave. (pet friendly).
Here are the rules for bringing a pet to the cooling centre:
- Pet owners must remain with their pet at all times,
- Bring necessary supplies,
- If possible, bring a crate to house your pet pet.
- All pets must either be on a leash or in a crate while in the facility.
The Terry Fox Library is also a great place to cool off and grab something good to read to take your mind off the heat.
Not hot enough for misters
However, the misters haven't yet been deployed at Gates and Aggie parks, as they are only used during a heat emergency.
In a statement, PoCo's fire chief Robert Kipps told the Tri-City News: "As this is a heat warning from Environment Canada, misting stations will only be deployed at a heat emergency level."
For a full list of spray parks and heat-related advice, check out the City of Port Coquitlam press release.
Port Moody
Ways to beat the heat in Port Moody this week:
- Cooling centres are open at the Civic Centre Galleria and the Port Moody Public Library, 100 Newport Dr.
- Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays for the Galleria and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays for the library
- You can also fill up your water bottle at a water filling station in the Civic Centre Galleria or the recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd.) during regular hours of operation
- Go for a swim at Rocky Point Pool or Westhill Pool
- Take the kids to one of Port Moody's spray parks
- Find a shady spot in a quiet park such as Westhill, Pioneer Memorial, Flavelle or Cedarwood
- Walk among the trees in Bert Flinn Park
