Kamloops resident Frida Glover enjoying the cool space at the Sandman Centre on Tuesday (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

COOLING CENTRE

Cooling centre opens in Kamloops as temperatures reach 35°C threshold

Jul 26, 2022 | 3:29 PM

KAMLOOPS — Staying cool is the name of the game in Kamloops this week.

While the temperatures aren’t nearly as lethal as last summer’s heat dome, people are still taking shelter.

“It’s hot outside and our little air conditioner in our apartment doesn’t quite keep up when it’s over 35°C,” said Kamloops resident Frida Glover, who spent an hour on Tuesday at the cooling centre at Sandman Centre. “We came down last year and we’re going to do it when it’s above 35°C and the cooling centre’s open.”

For the first time this summer, the City of Kamloops’ cooling centre has opened.

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With the temperatures rising to 40 degrees on Thursday, staff will be welcoming people needing respite from the heat all week.

“We will activate our cooling centre according to Environment Canada, so when they issue a heat warning we then will activate,” said Recreation, Health and Wellness Supervisor Linda Stride. “The heat warning is considered in Southeast B.C. when we have 35°C during the day and cooling down to no lower than 18°C at night for two consecutive days.”

The heat dome, which saw temperatures reached almost 47°C at the airport, spurred the city into action and be more organized with the cooling centre.

There is everything from water, sunscreen, books and games to play — and there’s no time limit from noon to 8 p.m.

“We have a place where people can just come in and relax,” said Stride. “There are things at home you want to do, but you can’t do because it’s too hot, so puzzles and coloring books and cards and things like that. We didn’t have any of that last year. An area for people to bring their pets.”

There are many other ways to stay cool this week — with four spray parks in the city and the outdoor pool in Brock among other places people will be frequenting.

“I’m going to do lots of swimming, definitely a lot of popsicles and freezies. I’m going to do the slip-n-slide,” said Kamloops resident Brynn Collins.

For Glover, the Sandman Centre may just be her home away from home this week and the mercury rises — just like last summer.

“When it was 40°C, we were here every day and I stayed here until after four o’clock. There was no way I was going home. It was just too darn hot. I don’t think it’s going to get that hot this year, but if it does I’m perfectly happy to stay here,” she said.