Public entrance to the Sandman Center in downtown Kamloops, which has previously been used as a cooling center during heat protocols/via Victor Kaisar
Starting tomorrow, the Sandman Centre concourse will be open to provide Kamloops and area residents relief from near record-breaking temperatures.
Social, Housing, and Community Development Manager, Carmin Mazzotta, says Sandman Centre will be open on Friday, June 25, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m, adding it will be open every day until the end of the heat event.
“They’ll have a place to cool off. We’ll have the main concourse open and folks can get some water and just have a bit of a reprieve from the heat,” he told NL News. “COVID related public health orders will still be in place so folks will still need to wear a mask and physically distance.”
Mazzotta also says because of COVID, there will be a capacity of 50 people at a time at Sandman Centre.
But he notes people can also go to one of several Kamloops spray parks from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. or to one of the many social agencies if they are looking to cool down.
“We’re in discussions with our community partners and the non-profit sector as well, just providing some spaces for folks to seek shade, get access to some water and cool off,” Mazzotta added. “And we are working closely with the non profits in the community to ensure that water gets to the vulnerable population and folks in need in the community.”
Community Service Officers in Kamloops will also be watching for signs of heat-related illness and distributing water during their patrols, and they will encourage people to find reprieve from the heat wherever possible.
“Kamloops is a city we all know that gets quite warm in the summer but this is quite a significant heat event that we are anticipating so you know its important to stay safe,” Mazzotta added.
“Even if its things like being mindful to check on loved ones or checking on those with a chronic illness, or making sure that you’re not leaving pets or children in your car at all.”
People are also being urged to be careful around the river, as the water is still high and moving quickly.
For tips on how to beat the heat, go here.
For the latest Environment Canada forecast, go here.
