Cooling stations providing respite from extreme heat

Community organizations are stepping up to provide some relief from the scorching heat in Regina.

A massive heatwave has been blanketing Saskatchewan for the past week, with temperatures hovering over 30 C for the week.

For people who might not have easy access to water or a room with air conditioning, places in Regina have been helping fill that gap.

Much like it does in the winter with extreme cold, the Nēwo-Yôtina Friendship Centre has been one of those places.

“We see about 80 people per day. We do about 40 breakfast meals and they are gone, usually by 9:30 in the morning, and then throughout the day, we see another 40 to 60 people looking for food, snacks and things to cool down,” said Teresa Innis, the centre’s essential services manager.

She said there aren’t a lot of places in Regina people can go to as they attempt to escape the heat, especially with COVID and people being discouraged from gathering indoors.

This year, the City of Regina has provided a list of cooling stations people can go to.

“It’s hugely important for folks that are under-housed or in shelters and they don’t necessarily have a place to be during the day and they get a bit of a break from the heat. There’s the risk of dehydration and heatstroke and those things,” said Michael Parker, the executive director at the friendship centre.

Innis said the door to the friendship centre is open and people can come in and request something like a cold snack or just a place to relax.

“It’s really warm out there and people need a spot to cool down and take a break in the air conditioning,” Innis said.

In order to help provide this service, the centre requires donations from people, something for which Innis is grateful.

“We’re very appreciative of the people who have donated water and frozen treats to us. Keep it coming (because) we’re going to be seeing lots more. The weather is going to be 30 C for the next few weeks at least,” Innis said.

— With files from 980 CJME’s Logan Stein