With heatwave, St Catherines extends splash pads, pool hours

With temperatures expected to soar above 30C and humidex readings closer to 40C on June 28 and 29, the City of St Catharines is extending the hours of its splash pads, pools and cooling centres.

A city release said that cooling centres will now be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Russell Avenue Community Centre and St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre. (COVID-19 safety protocols, including facemask requirements, are still in place.)

City splash pad hours, as well as Port Dalhousie Pool and Lincoln Park Pool hours, have been extended until 9 p.m. 

The Niagara Regional Public Health Unit also issued the following warnings:

• Schedule outdoor activities carefully. If you must be outside, plan your activities during cooler parts of the day. Rest frequently in shady areas, and drink plenty of fluids (unless fluid is restricted by one’s physician).
• Never leave infants or young children in a parked car. Dress them in cool, loose clothing, and shade their heads and faces with hats or an umbrella. Ensure infants and children are protected with sunscreen.
• People over 65 years of age may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature. Stay in cool areas and use air conditioning. When the temperature is in the high thirties or higher, a fan will not prevent heat-related illness. A cool shower or bath is more effective.
• People who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat. They should stay in cool areas and use air conditioning.
• Any health condition that causes dehydration makes the body more susceptible to heat sickness. Consult your doctor if you feel signs of confusion, dizziness, nausea, muscles welling, heart disturbances, and/or a headache.