THUNDER BAY – With temperatures in the high 20s, PACE staff were busy at the cooling centre this past weekend and expect that to continue this week.
Georgina McKinnon, PACE's executive director, said between 130 and 180 people came for over 200 visits each day.
“We have a capacity of 30 people. So, once we hit that capacity, we start rotating them out. We bring them in for a half hour to 40 minutes and then rotate them out.”
McKinnon said having this facility in Thunder Bay is extremely important.
“Hot weather injuries happen really easy, without you even noticing that it's happening to you.
“We're going through water and juice like crazy. We're also giving them some Gatorade to bring up their electrolytes and snacks every day."
McKinnon said many clients have told PACE staff that they wouldn’t know what to do if the cooling centre wasn’t available.
“We call it the PACE safe space. In the winter, we provide a warming centre and, in the summer, we provide a cooling centre,” she said.
PACE, which stands for People Advocating for Change through Empowerment, is open from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on the weekend from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“We're expecting to have over 200 visits a day by up to 150 people this upcoming week," McKinnon said.
The cooling centre is planned to be open for July and August.
“But last year we had a really hot September. We ended up running right to the end of September. So, we're going to stay open and take care of the people as long as they need us to,” McKinnon said.
Kyle Arnold, coordinator at PACE, said they accept donations that benefit their clients.
“We accept gently used clothing. We're looking for shorts, tank tops for both men and women as well as cold drinks, popsicles, anything to try to help the clients stay cool,” he said.
People can bring donations to 510 Victoria Ave. E., Arnold said.
“The best time generally to donate would be between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. but people can donate any time that we are open."
Arnold said anyone who is interested in donating can also contact them through their Facebook page and pickup can be arranged, if needed.
Eugene Moonias used the centre this past weekend and said it definitely helped him keep cool.
“I love everything that they provide. The shade, the coffee, the food and the people that are here . . . it's a big help because when you're outside and it's too hot out there, people just need somewhere to go."
Moonias said without this service he wouldn’t be able to cool down.
“I'd be sitting in a park somewhere doing nothing. It's just a very good place to go.
“I hope it keeps going on for good and I hope it doesn't end,” he said.
