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Burnaby opens cooling centres for relief from extreme heat

Here's where to find cooling centres, misting stations, shaded areas and more ways to beat the heat in Burnaby.
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Local temperatures are expected to hit 30 C and more this weekend.

Update: The city's four cooling centres will close at the end of the day Wednesday, July 10 as temperatures cool. The city notes residents are always welcome at all public city facilities during operating hours to find relief from the heat.

If you need to beat the extreme heat this weekend, the City of Burnaby will host four cooling centres beginning Saturday, July 6.

The cooling centres will open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until the extreme heat ends.

The Burnaby cooling centres, equipped with air conditioning, seating, drinking water, washrooms and free public WiFi, will be located at:

The Society to End Homelessness in Burnaby will host a pop-up outdoor cooling location from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Civic Square (Central Boulevard and McKay Avenue, outside Bob Prittie Metrotown Library).

The pop-up location includes washroom facilities, drinking water, seating and free WiFi.

You can also use any public city facility during its opening hours to get out of the heat, including all rec centres, libraries, the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and Burnaby City Hall.

The city has an interactive map showing all its cooling resources, such as shaded areas with drinking fountains and washrooms, spray parks and misting stations. 

The city encourages residents to check in regularly with vulnerable family, friends and neighbours in case they need help.

Fraser Health recommends people develop a cooling plan when extreme heat is expected.

Steps to create a cooling plan include:

  • Identify cool spaces and prepare to use them at night
  • Make ice, ready jugs for water, check that you have a working fan
  • Plan to check in with family or friends who may be vulnerable or arrange for someone to check on you
  • Be prepared to leave your home if necessary due to the heat. This may include planning to stay with family or a friend or visiting a city cooling centre during the hottest part of the day.
  • Review signs of heat stress

For more information, see the city's extreme heat webpage.