Recognizing the challenges extreme heat may present to vulnerable people in the community, the City of London is opening two cooling centres to provide reprieve from temperatures that are expected to reach 31 degrees during the day today and Wednesday.
The cooling centres will be located at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, 1045 Wonderland Road North, and the South London Community Centre, 1119 Jalna Boulevard. These centres will be open to people who need reprieve from the heat between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. both days and will provide an indoor cooling space as well as water. Other amenities within these centres will not be open. In setting up the cooling centres, the City has followed all provincial and local health guidelines and appropriate measures will be in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In addition to cooling centres, a number of community agencies are working together to support those accessing their services during the extreme heat. This includes:
- The Coordinated Informed Response program as part of their outreach will offer refreshments and snacks where needed
- London Cares will be increasing their outreach presence and providing water to people in the core area.
- Y.O.U. will open to provide services for under 5 people at a time. The Youth Action Centre will also have water available
- Atlohsa will provide a resting space through referral from downtown outreach teams and will increase water and snack distribution
- The Ark will be providing supports and services for under 5 people at a time. They will also provide curb side pick-up for water and snacks
- The Canadian Mental Health Association will distribute water through My Sisters Place daily
“I’m pleased to see the quick response and high level of collaboration to ensure London’s most vulnerable are supported in the midst of these unseasonably high temperatures,” said London Mayor Ed Holder. “Together, we share a deep commitment to keeping Londoners safe during these extraordinary times, made even more challenging by the impending heat.”