The Community EditionHEATING AND COOLING CENTRES OFFER REFUGE ACROSS THE REGION
Waterloo Region residents can access a network of warming, cooling, and clean air spaces designed to provide temporary relief from extreme weather and poor air quality.
According to the Region of Waterloo, these designated public buildings offer space for anyone who needs refuge from heat, cold or unsafe air during regular business hours. These spaces are intended for temporary relief and are not meant for extended stays.
The region made these spaces more accessible during late 2022 and early 2023 by expanding hours beyond official weather warnings. This makes spaces available year-round during extreme cold or heat and opens specific overnight warming shelters.
“Warming, Cooling, and Clean Air Spaces are buildings in the region that provide space for the public to get temporary relief from heat, cold, or poor air quality during regular business hours,” the Region of Waterloo environmental health webpage state.
So far, there are 57 spaces coordinated by Region of Waterloo Public Health in Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich. They are operated by various partners, including the Region itself, area municipalities, community agencies, recreation centres, libraries, and other public buildings.
In addition to these locations, two Region of Waterloo buildings, 150 Main St. in Cambridge and 150 Frederick St. in Kitchener, are open on weekends and holidays for community members.
The Region of Waterloo Housing Services is also working closely with community partners, service providers, and those with lived experience to prepare for the cold weather this year.
“Winter plans include expansions of the emergency shelter system, creating new overflow spaces in shelters and motels across the community, the distribution of winter warming packages, and the opening of two overnight warming spaces,” Scott Cressman, communications specialist at Waterloo Region, said.
He stated the Region developed warming packages in partnership with co-creators of the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, including items to support people experiencing homelessness. These packages are distributed by outreach workers who can connect individuals to supports.
Public libraries also serve as designated spaces. Waterloo Public Library currently has three libraries serving as cooling, warming, and clean air spaces. These branches include the Eastside branch, the John M. Harper branch and the Main branch. Due to size constraints, the McCormick branch is not considered a warming, cooling, or clean air space.
“As public spaces, community members are welcome and encouraged to visit our library locations any time. In extreme weather conditions, we offer our spaces to anyone in the community, along with all our free library amenities, services, programs, and online resources,” Anjana Kipfer, Marketing and Communications manager at the Waterloo Public Library, said.
Kipfer explained that she does not know when the libraries were designated as cooling, warming, or clean air spaces, but she suspects it occurred quite a long time ago, and the branches will continue to have this designation.
“We have been used for temporary relief from heat, cold, or poor air quality throughout the seasons, as a cooling centre in the summer during heat waves, as a clean air space during poor air quality conditions, and as a warming centre during extreme cold warnings,” Kipfer said.
She also said that besides the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system the library has for heating, cooling, and air quality, they do not have other specialized equipment.
Residents can access these spaces even without official weather alerts. Extreme Cold Warnings are issued when temperatures or wind chill reach -30 degrees for at least two hours, while Heat Warnings are issued during high temperatures or when humidex values meet national criteria.
Many of the designated spaces operate year-round during business hours to provide relief whenever needed, ensuring that residents of all ages, including those experiencing homelessness, have safe and accessible options during extreme weather or poor air quality conditions.
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