Man suffering from heat sitting in front of a fan

Cooling centres open in Vancouver during heat warning

City activates Level 1 of heat response plan

August 11 2021 –

In response to the heat warning issued by Environment Canada for this week, cooling centres are now open in Vancouver’s air-conditioned community centres and public libraries as part of our Level 1 heat response plan.

Where to keep cool in Vancouver

Residents can find more information about our cooling centre locations and hours of operation. 

Residents who are out and about can hydrate at over 200 water fountains across Vancouver, or cool down using temporary misting stations, spray parks, wading parks, and swimming pools.

During the heat warning, staff at the following cooling centres will do their best to accommodate pets that are on leash and demonstrate good behaviour. Owners should come prepared with waste bags and water bowls:

  • Britannia Community Centre
  • Hillcrest Centre
  • Kerrisdale Community Centre
  • Killarney Community Centre
  • Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre
  • Mount Pleasant Community Centre
  • Ray-Cam Community Centre
  • Roundhouse Community Centre
  • West End Community Centre

Pets can be also brought to an off-leash park with water access:

  • Sunset Beach Park
  • Hadden Park
  • Spanish Banks Beach Park
  • John Hendry (Trout Lake) Park
  • New Brighton Park

Find maps and learn more information on where to keep cool. 

Level 1 heat response actions

The City of Vancouver and Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation are also implementing other actions that are part of our Level 1 heat response plan. These include:

  • Monitoring outdoor spaces for people suffering from heat-related illness
  • Implementing a hot weather support plan for tenants in our non-market housing (including wellness checks, providing bottled water, and fans)
  • Providing heat safety information to community partners and SROs, requesting additional checks and supports for one another

We encourage people to prepare for periods of heat by keeping cool, staying hydrated, and staying informed by checking weather updates and using information on our website and social media channels to stay safe in extreme heat.

Looking out for people vulnerable to heat

It is also important to look out for and support friends, family, and neighbours who may be especially vulnerable:

  • Older adults, especially those living alone, and children younger than five years old
  • People with pre-existing illnesses or taking certain medications
  • People who are isolated or experiencing homelessness
  • Outdoor workers
  • People with addictions who may be more likely to be dehydrated as a side effect of substance use
  • Anyone who isn’t acclimatized to our weather
  • Anyone left in a hot environment like a closed car, or in direct sun

Learn what to do if you or someone else have symptoms of heat-related illness , and when to seek medical care.

We continue to work closely with Environment Canada and Vancouver Coastal Health to monitor forecasts, understand increased risks to health, and determine how best to support residents with services.

See more ways to stay safe in the heat and get information on heat-related illness from Vancouver Coastal Health.