Need a break from the heat? Here’s where you can cool down

A stock photo of an air conditioner and a controller in a person's hand. (Sinisa Botas/shutterstock.com)

As temperatures spike across Simcoe County, Barrie, Penetanguishene, New Tecumseth and Oro-Medonte are all offering residents momentary relief from the heat in the form of cooling centres opening up around town.

Barrie

The City of Barrie says all public facilities such as recreation centres and libraries will be available as cooling centres during normal operating hours.

Barrie is also encouraging residents to visit beaches, pools or splash pads as alternate ways to escape the warm weather.

Penetanguishene

In Penetanguishene the public library and the memorial community centre (PMCC) are open as cooling centres during regular operating hours as well.

The library is located at 24 Simcoe Street and the PMCC is located at 61 Maria Street.

The town says both facilities are fully air-conditioned and offer access to drinking water.

New Tecumseth

During regular service hours, residents can drop by the New Tecumseth library’s Memorial branch at 17 Victoria Street in Alliston, the D.A. Jones branch at 42 Main Street in Beaton or the Pam Kirkpatrick branch at 139 Queen Street in Tottenham.

Additionally, residents can stop by the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre at 7300 Industrial Parkway in Alliston or the Tottenham Community and Fitness Centre at 139 Queen Street North in Tottenham.

Oro-Medonte

From Tuesday until Friday, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., Oro-Medonte residents can stop by the township’s administration building at 148 Line 7 South or the Simcoe Woods Community Centre at 737 Horseshoe Valley Road to escape the heat.

Hawkestone Community Hall, located at 3 Allen Street, is also open to the public as a cooling centre, as is Eady Community Hall at 73 Eady Station Road.

For those who intend to stop by, the township says they are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles as well as reading materials or other quiet activities.