After a deadly heat wave earlier this month, the City of Burnaby is opening four cooling centres starting today (Thursday) as temperatures are driving extreme heat throughout the Lower Mainland.
The locations are for those who are unhoused, the most vulnerable and anyone seeing refuge from the heat.
Burnaby North and Burnaby South will each have two locations at the following addresses.
NORTH BURNABY
- Cameron Community Centre (9523 Cameron St.)
- Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool (240 Willingdon Ave.)
SOUTH BURNABY
- Bonsor Recreation Complex (6550 Bonsor Ave.)
- Edmonds Community Centre (7433 Edmonds St.)
The city says the locations are intended to provide temporary relief and will include seating along with access to water, washrooms, $1 showers, wifi and electrical outlets.
As COVID-19 cases surge throughout B.C., masks are strongly recommended but not required.
City staff will also be available to provide information on additional resources that might be available to help those dealing with the heat.
"The city encourages residents to check on their neighbours, friends and family members in case they need help during the extreme heat."
From June 25 to roughly July 1, B.C. was under an extreme heat warning as temperatures soared to more than 40 degrees Celsius in some regions but felt like high 40s.
It was 610 more sudden deaths across British Columbia when compared to the five-year average over the same seven-day period, according to updated preliminary data from the BC Coroners Service.
