Kal Tire Place in Vernon is one of the air conditioned public venues people can go to get out of the heat. (file photo/Pattison Media)

By Pete McIntyre

Cool down

Places to go in Vernon to ‘beat the heat’

Jul 8, 2024 | 12:00 PM

With the heat warning expected to remain in place for a few more days, the City of Vernon is reminding residents and visitors of places they can go to escape the heat, cool down, and stay hydrated.

“A number of public facilities are open for use and publicly accessible drinking water sources are available throughout the community,” a city news release stated.

Indoor public facilities

The following locations are available for public access during regular operating hours. Links to their websites to find hours of operation are available below.

• Public walking at Kal Tire Place (3445 43^rd Avenue): gvrec.ca
• Vernon Aquatic and Recreation Centre (3310 37^th Avenue): gvrec.ca
• Okanagan Regional Library, Vernon Branch (2800 30^th Avenue): orl.bc.ca

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Drinking water and washrooms

There are several locations where people can find public access to drinking water. For information and a map of the locations, visit www.vernon.ca/drinkingwater.

The city is also working with community partners to identify ways to help those who may be more vulnerable to the ongoing hot weather.

“Service providers and outreach teams will be assisting individuals who are unhoused by offering bottles of water and information about where to find shade, access to public facilities during the day, and additional water resources,” the news release said.

Interior Health and the BCCDC recommend watching yourself and others for signs of heat-related illness and to take specific steps to stay cool and hydrated, including:

Tips to beat the heat

• Drink water regularly, before you start to feel thirsty
• Wear loose protective clothing and a hat, sunscreen and UV-protective eyewear
• Plan your outdoor activity before 11 a.m. or after 4 p.m., to avoid the most intense sun, and take it slow with plenty of rest breaks
• Never leave people or pets alone in a parked car. Temperatures can rise rapidly and become much hotter than the outside temperature.
• Cover windows during the day and open them in the evening if you can get a breeze through your home
• Use air conditioning (if available) to take the edge off the heat, but be careful not to over-cool your space
• If you don’t have air conditioning, seek shelter in the coolest room of your home and use a fan
• Regularly check on relatives, friends and neighbours to see how they’re doing; particularly older adults, infants and children, those doing a lot of physical activity or working outside, and those with underlying health conditions
• Take a break from the heat by spending a few hours in a cool place. It could be a tree-shaded area, swimming facility or an air-conditioned spot such as a public building, shopping mall, grocery store, place of worship or public library.