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City of Toronto extending hours at select outdoor pools to help residents cool off
City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following news release, July 19, 2022 – To help Toronto residents keep cool during the current heat warning declared by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC): (https://weather.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?on61#1433412341332405681201907030503ws1171cwto), the City of Toronto is temporarily extending pool hours at seven outdoor pools. City staff will continue to monitor ECCC reports, weather conditions and available resources to determine whether hours will be extended beyond tonight and will post operational updates to www.toronto.ca/swim and City social media channels.
The following seven outdoor pools will be open, weather permitting, until 11:45 p.m. tonight:
- Alex Duff Memorial Outdoor Pool, 779 Crawford St.
- Giovanni Caboto Pool, 1369 St. Clair Ave. W.
- McGregor Park Outdoor Pool, 2231 Lawrence Ave. E.
- Monarch Park Outdoor Pool, 115 Felstead Ave.
- Parkway Forest Outdoor Pool, 55 Forest Manor Rd.
- Smithfield Park Outdoor Pool, 175 Mount Olive Dr.
- Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool, 1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
A heat warning does not automatically result in extended pool hours. Decisions to extend pool hours are made daily while a heat warning is in place, based on weather risks and resource availability. Up-to-date information on extended pool hours, pool locations and regular operating hours is available by calling 311 or visiting www.toronto.ca/swim. During the summer season, from May 15 to September 30, the City activates a hot weather response plan to ensure that residents – especially those particularly vulnerable to the heat – have access to cool spaces. This year, the City has once again activated its Heat Relief Network, an approach that supports an all-summer response to heat to better help residents stay safe and maximize City and community resources.
The Heat Relief Network is comprised of more than 300 locations throughout the city, including libraries, community centres, civic centres, drop-ins, and several private and non-profit organizations, including some shopping malls and YMCA locations. The network also includes shelters and 24-hour respite centres that are available to individuals experiencing homelessness. An interactive map is available to help those looking to cool off locate a Heat Relief Network location near them: www.toronto.ca/coolspaces.
