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By Brian Konrad

No plans for cooling stations in Medicine Hat

Jun 29, 2021 | 5:13 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — In the words of Environment Canada, “a prolonged, dangerous and historic heatwave will persist through this week.”

The entire province of Alberta is under a heat warning, with high temperatures climbing into the mid 30’s today, and peaking near 40 C by mid-week.

Little to no reprieve from the heat is expected, with overnight lows between 15 and 25 degrees.

Medicine Hat’s director of emergency management says high temperatures here are not uncommon in the summer, but says the forecast highs for the next week are unprecendented.

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However, Merrick Brown says the majority of homes in Medicine Hat have air conditioning, and because of our demographics, the city doesn’t need to establish cooling centres as are seen in other cities.

“When you start looking at other communities across Alberta, the homeless population is definitely higher, so they’re focusing a lot of their efforts on that” says Brown.

He says people in Medicine Hat do have access to public facilities where vulnerable individuals may find reprieve from the heat, but it’s not necessary to open specific cooling centres.

Brown says people can take a break from the heat at several spray parks in Medicine Hat and at public facilities.

He also advises people to stay hydrated during this heat wave.