By Staff
July7th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Yesterday we published an article on how different communities were handling a situation where the world had reached its hottest day in recorded history July 3rd and then see an even hotter day on the 4th
The article was an in depth look at what communities are up against when record setting heat condition prevail. Included in the article was mention of a book: The Heat Will Kill You First, in which veteran journalist Jeff Goodell makes a searing case that most of us think about extreme heat is all wrong, and to disastrous effect.
We wondered what Burlington was doing in the way of revising its plans or at least discussing with the Leadership Team what the city and its citizens might be up against. We sent a note to the City Communications department asking:
Can you confirm that meetings have and are taking place to prepare for the opening of additional locations where people can cool off during the intense heat waves. The response we got consisted of a list of the locations people could get away from oppressive heat.
The response is set out below. It was almost as if nothing had or was being done.
What happens when there isn’t enough room for all the parents who want to find a place for their children to cool off ?
Cooling Centre information: Where to go in Burlington
Library locations:
Aldershot Branch
550 Plains Rd. E.
905-333-9995
Alton Branch
3040 Tim Dobbie Dr.
905-634-3686
Brant Hills Branch
2255 Brant St.
905-335-2209
Central Branch
2331 New St.
905-639-3611
New Appleby Branch
676 Appleby Line
905-639-6373
Tansley Woods Branch
1996 Itabashi Way
905-336-5583
The Communications department added:
The adjustments that summer camps make during a heat wave include:
- Provide staff and children opportunities for additional water breaks
- Engage in outdoor activities in the morning hours in shaded areas
- Encourage staff and children to stay indoors in air conditioned rooms during the height of the heat wave; simultaneously, we also incorporate a more regular break schedule and utilize air conditioned, cooler spaces at times when heat is less intense but it’s still hot outside.
- Utilize splash pads, and some of our camps include swimming as a means to cool off
- Play additional water games as another means to cool off
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There are too many parts of the city where facilities like this just don’t exist.
