Cooling centre open at Brennan Park Recreation Centre during high temperatures

The District of Squamish is following the Vancouver Coastal Health recommendation of providing a cooling centre to support Squamish residents during the heat warning issued by Environment Canada this week.

The cooling centre will be located at the following facility: 

Brennan Park Recreation Centre (Black Tusk Room)*

• Wednesday, August 11 – 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 
• Thursday, August 12 – 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 
• Friday, August 13 – 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 
• Saturday, August 14 – 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

*Please access Brennan Park Recreation Centre via the Pool entrance doors located on the south side of the building.

In addition, the Squamish Public Library will be open as an additional public cooling space in Downtown Squamish: 

• Wednesday, August 11 – 1 to 7 p.m.
• Thursday, August 12 – 10 to 5 p.m.
• Friday, August 13 – 10 to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, August 14 – 10 to 4 p.m.

The District is following the BC Centre For Disease Control guidance for community cooling centres in the context of COVID-19 and will adhere to all hygiene, cleaning and ventilation protocols. 

Heat-related illness 

Hot weather can pose a serious and immediate public health risk. Please practice the following to reduce your risk of heat-related illness: 

• Never leave children alone in a parked car. Temperatures can rise to 52°C (125°F) within 20 minutes inside a vehicle when the outside temperature is 34° C (93°F). Leaving the car windows slightly open will not keep the inside of the vehicle at a safe temperature.
• Drink plenty of fluids. 
• Plan your outdoor activity before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., when the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the weakest.
• Avoid tiring work or exercise in hot, humid environments. If you must work or exercise, drink 2 to 4 glasses of non-alcoholic fluids each hour. Rest breaks are important and should be taken in the shade.
• Avoid sunburn. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin and an SPF 30 lip balm.
• Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, or use an umbrella for shade.
• Regularly check older adults, children, and others for signs of heat-related illness and make sure they are keeping cool and drinking plenty of fluids. Check on those who are unable to leave their homes, and people with emotional or mental health concerns whose judgment may be impaired.

High indoor temperatures are associated with increased risk. Stay indoors in air-conditioned buildings or take a cool bath or shower. At temperatures above 30 C, fans alone may not be able to prevent heat-related illness.

• Home treatment for mild heat exhaustion may include:
• Moving to a cooler environment;
• Drinking plenty of cool, non-alcoholic fluids;
• Resting; and
• Taking a cool shower or bath.

If symptoms are not mild, last longer than one hour, change, worsen or cause concern, contact a healthcare provider. To ask about heat-related illness, call HealthLinkBC at 811. 

For more information and heat-related resources, visit the Vancouver Coastal Health website at vch.ca/public-health/environmental-health-inspections/healthy-built-environment/climate-change/extreme-heat.

To view the Environment Canada forecasts and weather warnings, visit https://weather.gc.ca/marine/forecast_e.html?mapID=02&siteID=06400.

August 10, 2021