Hamilton is experiencing another hot week, with temperatures feeling like 36 C on Thursday.
And while there isn’t currently a heat warning, the city says it’s made 2,000 bus tickets available to residents so they can travel to cooling centres during periods of extreme heat.
The tickets are provided to residents on a first come first serve basis, Matthew Lawson Hamilton’s manager of environmental health said. “We still have some tickets available and they will remain available until they are all gone.
He said 1,000 tickets were made available late last month at recreation centres and outdoor pools and the city sent another 1,000 to community organizations “serving the needs of those in the community who need help accessing a cool place during heat events.”
Residents can technically use the tickets anytime after pick up.
Hamiltonians have been able to pick up two free bus tickets each at the following community centres:
- Ancaster Aquatic Centre
- Ancaster Rotary Centre
- Bennetto Community Centre
- Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre
- Central Memorial Recreation Centre
- Dalewood Recreation Centre
- Dominic Agostino Riverdale Community Centre
- Dundas Community Pool
- Dundas Lions Memorial Community Centre
- H.G. Brewster Pool
- Hill Park Recreation Centre
- Huntington Park Recreation Centre
- Jimmy Thompson Pool
- Kanétskare Recreation Centre
- Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre
- Sackville Hill Seniors Centre
- Sir Allan MacNab Recreation Centre
- Sir Winston Churchill Recreation Centre
- Stoney Creek Recreation Centre
- Valley Park Community Centre
- Westmount Recreation Centre
- Winona Community Centre
Tickets have also been available at the following outdoor pools:
- Ancaster Lions Outdoor Pool
- Birge Outdoor Pool
- Chedoke Outdoor Pool
- Coronation Outdoor Pool
- Green Acres Outdoor Pool
- Inch Park Outdoor Pool
- Parkdale Outdoor Pool
- Rosedale Outdoor Pool
- Victoria Park Outdoor Pool
- Walker Outdoor Pool
The free tickets come at the same time that Hamilton ended a voluntary pay program for blind transit riders and those who use large mobility devices such as wheelchairs, marking a full transition to a new system that requires all users to pay.
The new system provides a 30 per cent discount using the Presto cards for riders who earn low-incomes.
Support for residents as temperatures rise
Hamilton’s criteria for a heat warning is two or more days with forecasted highs greater than or equal to 31 C, and nighttime lows of 20 C or more. Two days with a humidex of 40 C or greater also trigger a warning.
The city website lists a number of cooling places which open during heat warnings and include recreation centres, libraries and locations managed by community organizations.
Hamilton has changed its heat response in recent years as citizens have advocated for policies to help vulnerable people such as instituting a maximum indoor air temperature in rental units, which councillors have discussed but not implemented.
Early this month, councillors voted to expand a grant program that will now offer money to 200 low-income residents to help pay for air conditioners.
The city website states spending even a few hours a day in air conditioning can help during periods of extreme heat, when heat exhaustion and heat stroke are risks.