Metro Vancouver cooling centres open as heat sets in for Lower Mainland

With heat warnings in place across Metro Vancouver, people are being urged to seek shade and stay hydrated.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, temperatures during the day are forecasted to reach 33 C away from the water as a strong ridge of high pressure heats the coast.

There are city facilities open, many with extended hours, offering you locations to beat the heat.

Vancouver

The City of Vancouver has activated its cooling centres in community centres and libraries.

“When it’s hot out, it’s important to spend time in air-conditioned spaces, such as a friend’s house, shopping mall or neighbourhood organization.

“Some community centres and most public library branches have air-conditioned spaces. These facilities become cooling centres when Environment Canada issues a heat warning or declares an extreme heat emergency,” the city said.

There are also misting stations around Vancouver.

Surrey

Extreme heat relief locations are set up across the city.

Cloverdale

• Cloverdale Recreation Centre 6188 176 Street ^{(*pets welcome)}
• Clayton Community Centre 7155 187A Street ^{(*pets welcome)}

• Surrey Libraries – Clayton Branch 7155 187A Street

• Surrey Libraries – Cloverdale Branch 5642 176A Street
• Museum of Surrey 17710 56A Avenue

Guildford

• Fraser Heights Recreation Centre 10588 160 Street ^{(*pets welcome)}
• Guildford Recreation Centre 15105 105 Avenue ^{(*pets welcome)}
• Surrey Libraries – Guildford Branch 15105 105 Avenue

Fleetwood

• Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex #100 – 16555 Fraser Hwy ^{(*pets welcome)}
• Surrey Libraries – Fleetwood Branch 15996 84 Avenue

Newton

• Newton Recreation Centre 13730 72 Avenue ^{(*pets welcome)}

• Surrey Libraries – Newton Branch 13795 70 Avenue

• Surrey Libraries – Strawberry Hill Branch 7399 122 Street

South Surrey

• South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre 14601 20 Avenue ^{(*pets welcome)}
• Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre 16855 24 Avenue ^{(*pets welcome)}

• Surrey Libraries – Ocean Park Branch 12854 17 Avenue

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• Surrey Libraries – Semiahmoo Branch 1815 152 Street

Whalley/City Centre

• Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre 13458 107A Avenue ^{(*pets welcome)}

• Surrey Libraries – City Centre Branch 10350 University Drive

^{* Pet owners must remain with their pet at all times, bring necessary supplies, and are encouraged to bring a crate to house their pet. All pets must either be on a leash or in a crate while in the facility.\}

Surrey spray parks are open at:

• Bear Creek Park
• Bridgeview Park
• Cloverdale Athletic Park
• Erma Stephenson Park
• Fleetwood Park
• Goldstone Park
• Hawthorne Rotary Park
• Hazelgrove Park
• Newton Athletic Park
• Unwin Park
• South Surrey Athletic Park

“While everyone is at risk of heat-related illness, hot temperatures can be especially dangerous for the young, the elderly, those working or exercising in the heat, persons with chronic heart and lung conditions, persons with mental illness, people living alone, and people experiencing homelessness. Learn more about health checks from the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health,” Surrey said.

Burnaby

The City of Burnaby is opening four Cooling Centres beginning on Sunday, August 13 for anyone seeking relief from the extreme heat expected in the coming days.

Cooling Centres will operate from 10 am to 10 pm daily until extreme heat has ended, at the following locations:

• North Burnaby
  • Cameron Recreation Complex (9523 Cameron St)
  • Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool & Fitness Centre (240 Willingdon Ave)
• South Burnaby
  • Bonsor Recreation Complex (6550 Bonsor Ave)
  • Edmonds Community Centre (7433 Edmonds St)

Outdoor cooling locations:

Beginning Sunday (August 13), the Society to End Homelessness in Burnaby is also hosting two pop-up outdoor cooling locations, open 11 am to 6 pm at:

• Civic Square (Central Blvd & McKay Ave, outside Bob Prittie Metrotown Library)
• Kensington Park (Corner of Frances St and Fell Ave)

Read more: Prolonged heat wave hitting Vancouver and south coast this week

North Shore

District of West Vancouver:

• West Vancouver Memorial Library
  • Monday – Thursday 10am – 8pm
  • Friday – Sunday 10am – 6pm
• West Vancouver Community Centre
  • Monday – Thursday 6am – 9pm
  • Friday 6am – 8pm
  • Saturday 8am – 8pm
  • Sunday 8am – 4pm
• Seniors’ Activity Centre
  • Monday – Saturday 8:30am – 4pm
  • Sunday (Closed – take out food service 10am-2pm)
• Gleneagles Community Centre
  • Monday – Thursday 6am – 9pm
  • Friday 6am – 8pm
  • Saturday 8am-6pm
  • Sunday — Closed

City of North Vancouver:

Cool down with air conditioning at the following City locations or other places such as grocery stores.

• North Vancouver City Library – designated Cooling Centre during this August heatwave, open extended hours until 8pm.
• Harry Jerome Recreation Centre
• John Braithwaite Recreation Centre

Temporary misting stations are open:

• The Shipyards – look for orange tents under the crane and beside the water park
• Waterfront Park – by the Spirit Trail
• Moodyville Park – near the playground
• Civic Plaza – just south of the library steps
• Victoria Park – West – SW corner of Lonsdale & West Keith Road

District of North Vancouver:

If you need a place to escape the heat, try visiting a North Vancouver District Public Library branch or a Community Recreation Centre, where you can cool down and access water-filling stations.

Libraries:

• Lynn Valley Library (1277 Lynn Valley Rd)
• Capilano Library (3045 Highland Blvd)
• Parkgate Library (3675 Banff Crt)

Visit the NVDPL website for library hours and location map

Community Recreation Centres:

• Ron Andrews (931 Lytton St)
• Parkgate (3625 Banff Ct)
• Karen Magnussen (2300 Kirkstone Rd)
• Delbrook (851 West Queens Rd)
• Lions Gate (1733 Lions Gate Ln)

Richmond

The City of Richmond has an online map of water fountains and suggested places to stay cool.

New Westminster

You’re invited to visit an air-conditioned city facility to cool down. They will be open for extended hours during the extreme heat.

Coquitlam

The following City facilities are currently available as Cooling Centres during regular operating hours. Visit www.coquitlam.ca/facilities for hours of operation.

• Maillardville Community Centre, 1200 Cartier Ave.
• City Centre Aquatic Complex, 1209 Pinetree Way
• Dogwood Pavilion,1655 Winslow Ave.
• Glen Pine Pavilion,1200 Glen Pine Court
• Pinetree Community Centre,630 Poirier St.

Outdoor Pools and Spray Parks: Eagle Ridge Outdoor Pool (2689 Guildord Way) and Blue Mountain Wading Pool (975 King Albert Way) are open for drop-ins. For information, hours and rates visit www.coquitlam.ca/outdoorpools. (Note: Spani Outdoor Pool is closed for the 2023 season to facilitate a renovation.)

Coquitlam also has 10 free spray parks throughout the city with most open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.:

• Burns Park Spray Park, 802 Edgar Ave.
• Cottonwood Spray Park, 672 Aspen St.
• Galloway Spray Park, 3404 Galloway Ave.
• Mackin Spray Park, 1046 Brunette Ave.
• Norm Staff Spray Park, 3320 David Ave.
• Panorama Spray Park, 1485 Johnson St.
• Rochester Spray Park, 1390 Rochester Ave.
• Sheffield Spray Park, 3510 Sheffield Ave
• Blue Mountain Spray Park, 975 King Albert Ave. (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
• Town Centre Spray Park, 1299 Pinetree Way (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

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