THUNDER BAY — On a weekend with record-breaking temperatures, a Thunder Bay organization offered welcome relief to those seeking escape from the sweltering heat.
People Advocating for Change Through Empowerment (PACE) established a cooling station at their premises on Victoria Avenue.
Some volunteers also walked the downtown streets to let people know that water and Gatorade were available at PACE, along with sunscreen.
Executive director Georgina McKinnon said "People were so happy and grateful that we were there. It was an awesome feeling to see them leave cooled down again".
McKinnon said the Regional Food Distribution Association supplied drinks, and the local group Hope for Change delivered drinks as well as hot dogs.
She feels there were no other options for many of the users of the cooling centre over the weekend.
McKinnon said over 100 people used the facility each day.
"I suspect that a lot of them would have been hiding out in doorways, hanging out at businesses that were open, or showing up at the hospital emergency department."
With thermometers recording 44 C in direct sunlight, McKinnon said a number of them likely would have ended up suffering from heat exhaustion.
She expressed thanks to the volunteers who showed up to help on very short notice, saying, "They were awesome. They showed up with smiles."
McKinnon said she is in talks with the City of Thunder Bay to obtain funding to open on a more regular basis throughout the summer.
