If you live in Toronto, brace yourself for a week-long heatwave.
Yesterday, Environment Canada issued an orange heat warning for the city, meaning the severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption or health impacts that are major, widespread and/or may last a few days.
The city will see temperatures averaging up to 35 C, with some days that’ll feel like more than 40 C. We might also see some thunderstorms.
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With this warning in place, it’s essential to hydrate frequently and stay in cool areas, whether that’s shaded outdoor spaces or air-conditioned indoor spaces. So, here’s a list of free, public spaces where you can stay cool during the heatwave.
TORONTO’S MAP OF COOL SPACES
The City of Toronto has a map of “Cool spaces near you,” which includes:
- Community centres – which are also listed here, with information on whether there’s Wi-Fi, plus a phone number to call to confirm hours.
- Libraries – which you can also find with this Toronto Public Library map of branches.
- Civic centres – also listed here.
- Indoor and outdoor pools, as well as splash pads and wading pools
- Senior centres
- YMCA locations
- Malls
- Community centres — which are also listed here, with information on whether there’s Wi-Fi, plus a phone number to call to confirm hours.
- Libraries — which you can also find with this Toronto Public Library map of branches.
- Civic centres — also listed here.
- Indoor and outdoor pools, as well as splash pads and wading pools
- Senior centres
- YMCA locations
- Malls
Some important notes to help you plan where to stay this week:
- Community centres, libraries, civic centres and pools are all City-owned, free public spaces that anybody can access year-round. Many have extended hours during the heatwave, but you should check the specific location near you to confirm.
- Community centres and libraries will be closed at night and on Canada Day on July 1, except for the two centres listed below, which will be open for cooling:
- John Innes Community Centre at 150 Sherbourne St.
- Matty Eckler Community Centre at 953 Gerrard St. E.
- Civic centres will be open on Canada Day.
- Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, York and Metro Hall civic centres are open from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m this week.
- North York Civic Centre is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
📸: Marquise Kamanke/Unsplash.
24-HOUR COOL SPACE
The City of Toronto is running a 24-hour cool space at 136 Spadina Rd., starting at noon on Tuesday, June 30. The space will stay open throughout the heat warning.
This space is intended to support people experiencing homelessness in the city. It’ll include air-conditioned seating, light refreshments and recreational activities.
DRINKING WATER STATIONS
You can find water fountains to drink or refill your bottle across City-run parks and community centres. Find a location near you using this map with the “Drinking water source” filter on.
The City of Toronto is also running trailers offering water starting Tuesday, June 30, at noon at the following locations:
- Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St. W.)
- Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge St.)
- East York Civic Centre (850 Coxwell Ave.)
- Barbara Hall Park (519 Church St.)
- Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St. W.)
- Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge St.)
- East York Civic Centre (850 Coxwell Ave.)
- Barbara Hall Park (519 Church St.)
Additional FIFA World Cup game-day trailers will also be available on July 2 at:
- 34 Hanna Ave.
- Fort York Boulevard & Bathurst Street
- Toronto Inukshuk Park (Strachan Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard West)
- 34 Hanna Ave.
- Fort York Boulevard & Bathurst Street
- Toronto Inukshuk Park (Strachan Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard West)
Swimming spots
The City of Toronto operates many pools and splash pads, and has lifeguards at various beaches. You can explore locations to swim through this Drop-In Swim & Water Play Map or this Beaches Map.
- The 10 beaches listed on the Beaches Map will be monitored by lifeguards daily from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Splash pads are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., every day.
- Outdoor pools are generally open 10 a.m to 8 p.m., except for the eight pools below, which will be open later, until 11:45 p.m.
- Alex Duff Pool, 779 Crawford St.
- Giovanni Caboto Pool, 1367 St. Clair Ave. W.
- Heron Park Pool, 292 Manse Rd.
- McGregor Park Pool, 2231 Lawrence Ave. E.
- Monarch Park Pool, 115 Felstead Ave.
- North Toronto Memorial, 200 Eglinton Ave.
- Smithfield Park Pool, 175 Mount Olive Dr.
- Sunnyside Gus Ryder Pool, 1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
If you plan on being outdoors, don’t forget your sunscreen and hat and make sure to drink plenty of water.
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