Winnipeg to reopen multiple spray pads for heat relief
The City of Winnipeg is opening up some spray pads for residents as a heatwave continues to impact Manitoba.
Manitoba amended its public health orders on Wednesday to allow spray pads to reopen due to the extreme heat.
The city’s spray pads will be open at noon on Thursday.
Jay Shaw, manager of emergency operations with the city, said the spray pads have been deemed as respite from the heat.
“We really want to encourage people to use them to cool off if they have no other means,” he said. “We want to make sure we’re taking care of all of our residents based on both of these hazards.”
Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman said he is thankful the province made the adjustments to the public health orders.
“We have competing needs right now,” he said. “We have a health emergency with COVID-19; we also have an emergency with the extreme heat.
“The province has allowed the opening of these facilities. They have also been very clear with us that the outdoor facilities will be required to have supervision.”
Winnipeg’s community service ambassadors will monitor the locations. All public health orders regarding gatherings and physical distancing will be in effect.
“We are encouraging residents who have the means to cool off at their personal residences, to not utilize the spray pads at this time, so they are available for those who do not have another option,” the city said in a statement. “The City is also recommending that users limit their time at the spray pad to a maximum of 30 minutes at a time.”
The spray pads will be open daily from noon to 8 p.m.
The full list of spray pads opening up is below. The spray pads at Michaëlle Jean Park (Norquay Community Centre) and Old Ex will not be opening at this time.
- Central Park;
- Fort Rouge;
- Freight House;
- Gateway;
- Jill Officer Park;
- Lindenwoods;
- Lindsey Wilson Park;
- Machray Park;
- Provencher Park;
- River Heights;
- St. Norbert;
- Shaughnessy;
- St. James Assiniboia Centennial Pool;
- Sturgeon Heights;
- Valley Gardens;
- Vimy Ridge Memorial Park;
- Waverley Heights;
- Westdale; and
- West Kildonan.
Spray pads will not be sanitized by the city, and on-site washrooms will not be available for use. The city says people who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should avoid using spray pads, and gatherings with people outside of your household are not permitted under the current public health orders.
Outdoor pools or wading pools will not open at this time.
The current public health order regarding spray pads expires on June 12.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.