The city is advising residents that cooling centres are open throughout the Delta to help them beat the heat, but the facilities are currently only open during regular business hours.
The municipal facilities include such places as public libraries, recreation centres and community centres, offering air-conditioned spaces with seating and drinking water to help people cool down.
Spray parks and outdoor pools are also options, and the locations for all the available facilities can be found at https://www.delta.ca/beattheheat
The latest forecast from Environment Canada has the region with a mix of sun and cloud for Friday and mainly sunny for Saturday, both days with a high of 25 degrees.
In preparation for potential heat events this summer, city staff reviewed and updated Delta's Heat Response Plan and “Beat the Heat” page on Delta's website. It provides information and resources to help the public prepare for and deal with extreme heat events, including an interactive map of cooling centres.
The plan includes a Stage 1 Heat Warning, when the city launches public awareness and social media messaging, cooling areas at municipal facilities during normal operating hours, a telephone hotline, as well as outreach to seniors and vulnerable groups.
The plan also includes a Stage 2 Extreme Heat Emergency, when 24/7 cooling centres are open at the Kennedy Seniors Centre, KinVillage and McKee Seniors Centre, while Delta's Seniors Buses are available to transport people to and from cooling centres. The telephone hotline becomes 24/7 and the city would also launch increased messaging, and outreach.
Staff have been working with community partners, including Options, Deltassist, Kin Village and seniors’ housing operators, on a communication strategy to reach vulnerable people and do wellness checks on isolated seniors.
As far as periods when air quality advisories are issued, the city notes that cooling centres also have a high level of air filtration.
Meanwhile, the Homelessness Services Association of BC leads a Delta Extreme Weather Response Working Group, comprising city staff, social service organizations and faith-based groups supporting the unhoused population during periods of extreme heat or cold.
A recent report to council notes the group mobilizes when temperatures "feel like" 29°C or hotter.”
