City of Kamloops opens cooling centre at McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre

With a high of 40ºC in the forecast for Tuesday and temperatures hitting the high 30s for the rest of the week, the City of Kamloops has opened a cooling centre to provide some relief.

From noon until 8 pm, residents can visit the NHL rink at the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre to escape the scorching heat.

The city says the cooling centre, which is located at 1655 Island Parkway, will be open during those hours every day until this heat wave passes.

The city recommends residents visit water parks or other areas with air conditioning to beat the heat and reminds everyone that drinking water fountains are available at various parks.

Free swimming is being offered at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, Brock Outdoor Pool, and Westsyde Pool until July 12.

“Residents are encouraged to check on their neighbours who may have heat sensitivity or vulnerability,” the city says in a news release.

“Prolonged periods of extreme heat can lead to severe illness and death. Heat can affect anyone, but some individuals are more susceptible than others, especially if they do not have access to air conditioning.”

People 65 and older, infants and young children and people with pre-existing health conditions or mental illnesses, who are pregnant, who have limited mobility and those who live alone or work in hot environments are reminded to take extra precautions during the heat event.