The day after temperatures in Sechelt and Gibsons reached a high of 30C the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has opened two cooling centres to help people get out of the heat.
As of Aug. 15, the Gibsons & Area Community Centre (700 Park Road) and the Sechelt Aquatic Centre (5500 Shorncliffe Ave.) will be open to provide a cool place to sit and staff will be handing out bottled water.
The Gibsons location will be open until 8:30 p.m. while the Sechelt location will be open until 9 p.m. each day until Environment Canada’s heat warning is no longer in effect.
Other public buildings with air conditioning include libraries and shopping malls. The provincial government also recommends to watch out for signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Seniors, children and pregnant people are at a higher risk of heat related issues. Children and pets should not be left in unattended vehicles. Cooling centres in other areas of the province can be found at EmergencyMapBC.
Weatherhood forecasts a high of 29C on Tuesday in both Sechelt and Gibsons, as temperatures are estimated to remain in the high 20s in Sechelt until Thursday, Aug. 17. Environment Canada warns the heat wave affecting the South Coast could reach temperatures between 29C and 34C, while overnight lows will be near 16C through Wednesday, until the ridge breaks down on Thursday.
The heat wave arrived amidst regional water restrictions on the Coast. The SCRD enacted Stage 3 restrictions on Aug. 11, the South Pender Water System has been on Stage 3 since July 14, while Eastbourne is at Stage 4. The Town of Gibsons is on Stage 1.
