Following the rescinding of the heat warning from Environment Canada as of this morning, August 2^nd, the facilities identified as designated cooling centres will be temporarily out of operation as such until the next heat warning/emergency is declared. However access to all other cooling or misting spaces as noted in previous posts are still publicly accessible to residents (in accordance with their operating times), including water bottle fill stations at Rotary and Memorial Park, and the Aquatic Centre.

Following a heat warning issued by Environment Canada on Monday July 25^th for the week, the District of Summerland is responding with resources for community members to access to find heat relief.

The following buildings are open as cooling centres in the District:

1. Summerland Arena (8820 Jubilee Rd) from 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM (closed on weekends) for the week of July 25 – phone 250-494-0447 for arena hours for future weeks.
2. Summerland Resource Centre (basement of the United Church 13204 Henry Ave) from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM) Monday to Friday.

Additional facilities that have air conditioning (but are not designated cooling centres) include:

1. Summerland Community Centre (formally Summerland Drop-In Centre 9710 Brown St) during scheduled community events, please see their calendar for all events and times: http://summerlandcommunitycentre.ca/events/
2. George Ryga Arts & Cultural Centre (9525 Wharton St), open Monday to Friday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, and Saturday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3. Summerland Museum (9521 Wharton St), FREE ADMISSION, open Wednesday toSunday from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, and by appointment on Tuesday (call 250-494-9395)
4. Summerland Library (9533 Main St), open Tuesday's 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM; Wednesday's and Thursday's 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM; and Friday's and Saturday's 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Water bottle fill station is also located inside and available during operating hours.

Water bottle fill stations are newly installed at the Rotary Park and Memorial Park washrooms, and the Aquatic Centre currently has one during operating hours. A mister station is also being planned for Memorial Park, more information will be posted once it is up and running.

Further, the Peach Orchard splash pad is open and Memorial Park has shade relief with it’s abundance of trees.

According to the coroner’s report that reviewed heat-related deaths in B.C. from the summer of 2021, deaths were higher for those indoors and who had higher vulnerability (older adults, multiple chronic diseases and who lived alone).

Tips for those who live alone and or do not have access to indoor cooling systems:

1. Seek cooler indoor or outdoor spaces, re-locate with a friend or family if they have cooler spaces.
2. Sleep in the coolest location in your home at night
3. Check in with your pre-identified heat buddy. If you don’t have one, try to reach out to someone you trust as soon as possible
4. Put up external window covers to block the sun if you can safely do so (i.e. foil or cardboard)
5. Close your curtains and blinds during the day
6. Ensure digital thermometers have batteries and monitor indoor air temperatures (31 degrees Celsius is dangerous for vulnerable people)
7. Make ice and prepare jugs of cool water
8. Wear a wet shirt or apply damp towels to your skin to cool down, or take a cool shower
9. Keep doors and windows closed between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM to trap cooler air inside. Open them at 8:00 PM to allow cooler air in, and use fans (including kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans) to move cooler air through the house

Source: B.C. Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide, 2022 & B.C. Provincial Heat Alert and Response System, 2022

Additional Resources:

Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide

www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/embc/preparedbc/preparedbc-guides/preparedbc_extreme_heat_guide.pdf

B.C. Provincial Heat Alert and Response System

www.bccdc.ca/resource-gallery/Documents/Guidelines%20and%20Forms/Guidelines%20and%20Manuals/Health-Environment/Provincial-Heat-Alerting-Response-System.pdf

Lived Experience of Extreme Heat in B.C. 

gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/climate-change/adaptation/resources/lived_experience_of_extreme_heat_in_bc_final_report.pdf

Health resource for heat events

ncceh.ca/documents/guide/health-checks-during-extreme-heat-events