The City of Vancouver is preparing to help residents stay cool ahead of the hotter than Miami heat expected for this weekend.
Even though record-smashing temperatures have been baking the city for the past week, in some parts of B.C. this weekend it’s going to feel like 48°C. In response to the sweltering heat, the city and the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation have deployed ten temporary water fountains to augment over 200 drinking fountains.
Starting on Friday, temporary misting stations will also be installed at the following locations:
- Columbia & Powell (NE corner)
- Robson & Cardero (SW corner)
- Granville & W 10th (NE corner)
- Commercial & E 10th (NE corner)
- Thornton Park (East side)
- Andy Livingston Park (NW corner)
- Nelson Park (SE corner)
- West Blvd & W 45th Ave (SE corner)
The city has also provided a list of air-conditioned community centres you can duck into to escape the heat for a while.
- Britannia - 1661 Napier St
- Carnegie - 401 Main St
- Evelyne Saller - 320 Alexander St
- Gathering Place - 609 Helmcken St
- Hillcrest - 4575 Clancy Loranger Way
- Kerrisdale - 5851 W Boulevard
- Mount Pleasant – 1 Kingsway
- Ray-Cam - 920 E Hastings St
- Roundhouse - 181 Roundhouse Mews
- West End - 870 Denman St
The list also includes all Vancouver Public Library locations.
Community centres in the Downtown Eastside will also be offering water and sunblock. The City’s Non-Market Housing Operations is implementing a hot weather support plan for tenants, which includes increased wellness checks, and provision of bottled water and table-top fans for those residents not able or wanting to leave their rooms.
Pools and beaches
For those looking to beat the heat outside, outdoor pools at Kitsilano, Second Beach, New Brighton, Hillcrest Centre and Maple Grove are all open until September 6.
Water spray parks are now open at Connaught, Grandview, Hastings, Oak, Prince Edward, Pandora, Garden, Harbour Green, Stanley Park Lumberman's Arch, Chaldecott, Maclean, and Norquay parks.
Care for your pets
While the city suggests leaving your furry friends at home and in the shade, if they need to go for a jaunt you can take them to any of the following off-leash dog parks with access to water:
- Sunset Beach Park
- Hadden Park
- Spanish Banks Beach Park
- John Hendry (Trout Lake) Park
- New Brighton Park
If due to the heat you see an animal in distress inside a car report it to the BC SPCA immediately.
Respite from wildfire smoke
With extreme heat often comes wildfires. Should smoke make its way to Vancouver there are a number of spaces with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtering. In the event of an air quality advisory, anyone looking to reduce their exposure to wildfire smoke is welcome to go to these cleaner air spaces:
- Mount Pleasant Community Centre
- Carnegie Community Centre
- Evelyne Saller
- Gathering Place
Library locations with these features include:
- Central
- Joe Fortes
- Mount Pleasant
- Renfrew
- Terry Salman
