City of Kingston cool down locations for summer 2023

Editorial note: On Friday, Jul. 7, 2023, the City of Kingston announced that N95 masks and rapid antigen tests will be available at all cool down locations throughout the summer. See update at bottom of article for more information.

With summer upon us in the Limestone City and temperatures climbing higher than usual, it’s important to ensure we take some time away from the sun, heat, and humidity that can make summer days dangerous to our health.

With that in mind, Kingstonist reached out to the City of Kingston for a list of their cool down locations available throughout the summer of 2023. The City notes that public holidays may affect the hours of some of these locations, so it’s best to call ahead if possible when seeking relief on a holiday.

INVISTA Centre — 1350 Gardiners Road

Hours: Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Sunday,  8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Phone: 613-546-0000

Calvin Park Branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library — 88 Wright Crescent 

Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 613-549-8888

Isabel Turner Branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library — 935 Gardiners Road 

Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
Phone: 613-549-8888

Kingston East Community Centre — 779 Highway 15

Hours: Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. – 9 p.m., and Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Phone: 613-546-0000

Central Branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library — 130 Johnson Street

Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 613-549-8888

Pittsburgh Branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library — 80 Gore Road

Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 613-549-8888

Rideau Heights Branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library — 85 MacCauley Street

Hours: Monday & Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Friday & Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 613-549-8888

Rideau Heights Community Centre — 85 MacCauley Street

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., and Saturday, 8:30 a.m – 5 p.m.
Phone: 613-546-0000

Housing & Social Services building — 362 Montreal Street

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 
Phone: 613-546-0000

The following is messaging from the City of Kingston:

Emergency shelters are available in the community for people experiencing homelessness. There are shelter and drop-in services that are available to serve this vulnerable population 24 hours a day. City public buildings are available during regular business hours for those needing a place to warm up or cool down. In a designated extreme weather emergency, the City may open reception centres or evacuation centres for the public. This information will be shared through our media channels.

Home Base Housing’s Street Outreach Team regularly checks on known individuals experiencing homelessness. If you are experiencing homelessness, or are concerned about a person in need of help, please call 613-542-6672 ext. 130 or contact [email protected] and the Street Outreach Team will be alerted. If you or someone you know is in distress, please call the Addiction and Mental Health – KFLA 24/7 Crisis Line: 613-544-4229 or 1-866-616-6005. If it is an emergency, please call 911.

Don’t forget about pets!

Keep your pets cool in the summer, with tips from the Ontario SPCA, via the City of Kingston.

Reminder: Never leave a pet in a vehicle in warm weather. Vehicles can get hot very quickly and leaving pets alone in high temperatures is very dangerous and can be fatal.

Update (Friday, Jul. 7, 2023):
The City of Kingston has announced that N95 face masks and COVID-19 rapid antigen tests will be available throughout the summer at cool down locations.

“Community members who are at risk of developing health complications in areas experiencing poor air quality will be able to receive free N95 masks from any Cool-Down location,” the City of Kingston said in a press release.

The N95 masks are being provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health “in response to the recent and forecasted poor outdoor air quality in relation to smoke from nearby wildfires, the City said.

“Poor air quality, as defined by KFL&A Public Health, is an Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) rating of 7 or higher,” the release stated, noting that Kingston residents can monitor air quality on Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index.

At the same time, “following the wind-down of the Provincial Rapid Antigen Test Program, any community member can pick up free tests at designated Cool Down Locations in Kingston,” the City relayed.

The City advises residents to call cool down locations in advance to check on the availability of masks or tests before attending.