Are Cooling Centres Really Necessary?
Posted July 31, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The city, which has already been sweltering with high temperatures and higher humidex values, is about to see the oven turned up a notch to full broil.
Conditions over the next few days could see the mercury hit the upper 30s and humidity levels make it feel more like the mid 40s.
Toronto’s medical officer of health has extended the heat alert, which actually began last week in the city.
That means four cooling centres have been opened up to help those without air conditioning.
It costs about $30,000 to keep the four pre-chilled buildings opened and staffed. But it seems like many are giving them the cold shoulder.
When reporters came to the biggest and most often used area on Monday – Metro Hall – there was almost no one there.
Doors opened at 11am, but by 2pm, only 40 people had come in to cool off.
“We’ve served well over 100 people today, and I think it’s very important, the city’s response during extreme heat alerts,” counters Mayor David Miller.
Many are shocked to see the centres getting such a cool reception.
“I am really surprised because there’s hordes of people coming out of the C.N. Tower,” notes Jenny Wawrow. “But maybe there needs to be a sign at the corner saying ’emergency cooling this way.””
Miller believes it’s important to keep the centres up and running as long as the heat emergency lasts. “It’s essential,” he insists. “We have to have a place for people to go and the numbers tell me that what we’re doing is right.”
If you see anyone suffering from the heat, call 911, and if you need more information about heat related ailments, contact the Red Cross Heat Information Line at ( 416) 480-2615.
Where The Cooling Centres Are
Metro Hall,
55 John St.
(Open 24 hours)
East York Civic Centre,
850 Coxwell Ave.
(11am-7pm)
Etobicoke Civic Centre,
399 The West Mall
(11am-7pm)
North York Civic Centre,
5100 Yonge St.
(11am-7pm)
