With the current heat wave expected to last at least a few more days, Windsor will continue to offer a cooling centre at the downtown aquatic centre.
The city opened the centre on July 2 and will keep it open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until the heat warning issued by the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is lifted.
"We don't want people overheating outside or being outside for extended periods of time,” says Ray Mensour, Executive Director of Recreation and Culture. “So hopefully this gives them another avenue or another location for them to cool off as required."
Mensour says keeping everyone safe is priority one.
"We are taking precautions,” he says. “We are doing screening making sure people haven't had any recent coughs or health issues, ensuring they haven't left the country. So asking all the regular screening questions just to ensure everyone's safety first and foremost."
City staff are on hard to assist and tables and chairs are set up to ensure physical distancing due to COVID-19, advanced screening measures are in place as well and all visitors should be prepared to answer questions as they arrive.
Mensour says, if you're going to use the centre, bring something to keep busy.
"The centre will be open to anyone who would like to cool off, but people should bring their own food or reading materials,” he says. “Basically, it's just a place for people to gather if the heat becomes too much and they want a place to cool off."
Due to limited space, the city is asking residents to only use the site if they have no other options.
The city also continues to operate its day program at Windsor Water World for those experiencing homelessness — that program is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.