Cooling centres packed during first heat wave of summer

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https://ckpgtoday.ca/2022/07/29/cooling-centres-packed-during-first-heat-wave-of-summer/

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PRINCE GEORGE- The first significant heat wave of the summer hit Prince George this week, and the city is learning from the past on how to help the homeless community battle the weather.

“This year, the community was being very proactive and getting all the agencies involved as to how to address the heat wave this year if there were to be one,” said Connie Abe, the Executive Director of AWAC.

“It was announced Monday that there was going to be a heat wave, and we were able to open up Tuesday,” said the Interm Executive Director of The Pounds Project, Kelsey Callewaert. “With extended hours, we could offer AC and our space and have the drop-in centre.”

While the cooling centres just opened Tuesday, they have been busy.

“Getting busier and busier as people started learning that these things were open,” said Callewaert. “One of the challenges with marginalized populations is that they don’t have access to technology or the Internet, so spreading the information out is mostly word of mouth.”

The overall response from the community has been positive.

“Everyone has loved it,” said Callewaert. We had a complaint yesterday that it was too cold in here. It’s been excellent. We’re very community-oriented and always try to make everyone as comfortable as possible.”

The cooling centres urge locals that if they see someone showing signs of heat exhaustion to call AWAC at (250) 562 -6262.