Stay cool in Brockville during a heat wave

Brockville – Summer is here! Environment Canada has issued a heat warning. The extreme heat has already seen some cities beat their all-time heat records, with soaring temperatures and humidity settling in for a few days this week. Take action to protect yourself and others, as extreme heat can affect everyone’s health.

High temperatures and humidity may affect your health: becoming overheated can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Even a short period of exposure to high temperatures can cause health problems.

The Brockville Memorial Centre functions as a cooling centre during open hours. The City encourages the use of the Splash Pad, the beach at St. Lawrence Park, the Railway Tunnel, and the swim area at Centennial Park to stay cool.

Stay cool in Brockville:

• Cool off in the Railway Tunnel: this underground attraction stays the same cool temperature all year, providing natural “air conditioning” for visitors: 1 Blockhouse Island Parkway
  Open daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
• Visit the Rotary Park Splash Pad on Gilmour Street
  Open daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
• Swim in the St. Lawrence River, if water conditions are safe to do so and if you are a capable swimmer
  St. Lawrence Park Beach: 525 King Street West
  Centeen Park: 85 Water Street East
• Visit the Brockville Memorial Civic Centre at 100 Magedoma Boulevard
  Hours of operation:
  Monday: 8:00 am to 3:30 pm (Extended to 9 pm Monday, June 23rd for Blood Donor Clinic)
  Tuesday: 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
  Wednesday: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
  Thursday: 8:00 am to 3:30 pm
  Friday: 8:00 am to 3:30 pm
• Visit the Brockville Public Library at 23 Buell Street
  Hours of operation:
  Monday: closed
  Tuesday: 10 am – 7 pm
  Wednesday: 10 am – 3 pm
  Thursday: 10 am – 7 pm
  Friday: 10 am – 3 pm
  Saturday: 10 am – 3 pm
  Sunday: 12 – 3 pm (closed Sundays of long weekends)

For those who don’t have air conditioning and are looking to find a way to stay cool:

As recommended by the Health Unit:

• In your house, keep electric lights off or turned down low.
• Keep window shades or drapes drawn and blinds closed on the sunny side of your home.
• Use fans to draw cool air at night, but do not rely on a fan as a main cooling device during long periods of high heat and humidity.
• To keep yourself cool:
  Take a cool bath or shower periodically, or cool down with cool, wet towels.
  Visit a local splash pad.
  The local beaches are not starting bacteria testing until later this month.

Area Cooling Centres:

There are a few other cooling centres being set up in the Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark area. The health unit will update its information on its website as it learn about them.

Environment Canada issues warnings when:

daytime temperature of 31ºC or higher and nighttime temperature not cooler than 20ºC for at least two days, or humidex of 40ºC for at least two days