UPDATE: Ottawa wading pools closing during heat wave, despite councillor’s effort

By Mike Vlasveld

Posted Aug 24, 2021 03:41:00 PM.

The City of Ottawa is set to close wading pools, despite an ongoing heat wave in the capital, and not even the effortof one city councillor can keep them open.

I have written to the City Manager and GM of Parks and Recreation requesting that due to the heat wave, the City extend wading pools, prioritizing the high-risk communities.
I have offered to pay costs in my ward via my office budget.

— Riley Brockington (@RiverWardRiley) August 24, 2021

“In speaking with the general manager this morning, there really isn't the resources, the human resources that are needed to keep these going,” River Ward's Riley Brockington tells CityNews Ottawa. “They've pulled a number of life guards already and they just can't make that work.”

The city's wading pools are set to close for the season on Tuesday, August 24.

Environment Canada has extended a heat warning which started on Thursday, August 19, as it expects hot and humid conditions to possibly persist into Thursday, August 26.

Beach and outdoor pool seasons are also winding down in Ottawa this week.

Lifeguard supervision and daily water testing at Mooney’s Bay, Britannia, Petrie Island and Westboro beaches end for the season on Sunday, August 29. Until then, the daily hours for supervised beach swimming are noon to 7 p.m.

The city says its nine deep-water outdoor pools will be closing between August 22 and September 6, depending on location.

Meanwhile, the city's splash pads are expected to remain open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., until September 15, to help residents beat the late-summer heat.

Ottawa's cooling centres are also expected to stay open into Wednesday.

Reminder: there are three emergency cooling centres open today, August 24 and tomorrow, August 25 to provide relief from the heat to any resident in need: https://t.co/fICPeSkQLI
Please check on loved ones and your community.
Tips to #BeatTheHeat: https://t.co/799nxJlVz1 pic.twitter.com/fzFCOJDm4j

— City of Ottawa (@ottawacity) August 24, 2021

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