With a heat warning issued across much of the province, the City of Kamloops will be opening the Sandman Centre for anyone needing relief from the heat.

It will be open, as a cooling centre between noon and 8 pm everyday until the end of the heat emergency.

The City’s Recreation Health and Wellness Supervisor Linda Stride says that inside the Sandman Centre, there are a few different areas sectioned off including an area for people to leave their belongings as well.

“In the entrance to the Sandman Centre, we have a few things laid out there, one there is an area for people can leave belongings, we will have that labeled.”

Additionally, Stride says pets are welcome inside the Sandman Centre.

“We have an area again for people who would like to sit with their pets, and bring them in from the heat. We will also have tables with books and other kinds of things for people to come in and relax.”

Bottled water will also be distributed throughout the city, explains Stride.

“Our community service officers will be out distributing bottled water to our homeless population as well as others who may be out and about trying to seek some refuge from some of the heat.”

Stride encourages people to check in on their neighbours, especially those that are more vulnerable to extreme temperatures.

“Do you know people on your street, do you know people in your apartment, in your trailer complex, whatever that may look like. Are there people there who are vulnerable who are at higher risk to heat distress, and if you know, go check on them.”

She says there are several parks throughout the community where people can find some shade.

“Part of the message is for people thinking its better to stay in their homes than to be outside, if you have no air conditioning or no opportunity to cool your home, you are better to go even into a part where there is trees, and some shade, because it will be better than being in your home.”

In the Interior Health region, a heat warning is issued when daytime temperatures are above 35 degrees for two consecutive days and overnight temperatures remain above 18 degrees.

Environment Canada is predicting those types of conditions Tuesday through at least the weekend.