Warming and Cooling Centres are buildings in the region that provide space for the public to get temporary relief from heat or cold, during regular business hours. Some Warming and Cooling Centres are only available during Heat Warnings and Extreme Cold Warnings when issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada. These are noted in the Warming and Cooling Centres lists below and the interactive map of Warming and Cooling Centres. Warming and Cooling Centres are located all over Waterloo Region, including Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich. There is no expectation of extra amenities or services at these centres above what is already provided.
An Extreme Cold Warning for Waterloo Region is issued when the temperature or wind chill is expected to reach minus 30° C for at least two hours.
A Heat Warning for Waterloo Region is issued when one or both of the following conditions are met:
- Two consecutive days where the temperature is forecasted to be 31° C or higher during the day and 20° C or higher overnight
- Two consecutive days where the humidex is forecasted to be 40° C or higher
Note that Warming and Cooling Centres are intended to provide temporary relief from heat and cold and are not available for extended stays. For additional supports for individuals experiencing homelessness, please reference the pocket card on the Emergency Shelters and Transitional Housing webpage. The pocket card provides a list of locations and contact details for shelters, drop-in and street outreach services across the region.
Warming and Cooling Centre List
See below for a list of all Warming and Cooling Centres by city and township. Note that any temporary changes in regular business hours due to holidays or weather will not be reflected in this list. For temporary changes in business hours, please access the direct website link for each Warming and Cooling Centre.
New Warming and Cooling Centres are always welcome. To have your facility listed as a Warming or Cooling Centre, please contact Region of Waterloo Public Health at ExtremeHeatCold@regionofwaterloo.ca
| Cambridge |
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Cambridge City Hall (Pet Friendly)
- Location: 50 Dickson Street, Cambridge
- Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
Idea Exchange, Clemens Mill
(in St. Benedict Secondary School)
Idea Exchange, Hespeler
Idea Exchange, Old Post Office
Idea Exchange, Preston
Idea Exchange, Queen's Square
Region of Waterloo building
- Location: 150 Main Street, Cambridge
- Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
- Access to water fountains
W.G. Johnson Centre (Pet Friendly)
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| Kitchener |
Breithaupt Centre
- Location: 350 Margaret Avenue, Kitchener
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday
- For temporary changes in operating hours due to holidays or adverse weather, please click here.
Bridgeport Community Centre
- Location: 20 Tyson Drive, Kitchener
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
- For temporary changes in operating hours due to holidays or adverse weather, please click here.
Centreville Chicopee Community Centre
- Location: 141 Morgan Avenue, Kitchener
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Monday to Friday) | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Saturday)
- For temporary changes in operating hours due to holidays or adverse weather, please click here.
Chandler Mowat Community Centre
- Location: 222 Chandler Drive, Kitchener
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Monday to Thursday) | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Friday)
- For temporary changes in operating hours due to holidays or adverse weather, please click here.
Country Hills Community Centre
- Location: 100 Rittenhouse Road, Kitchener
- Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
- For temporary changes in operating hours due to holidays or adverse weather, please click here.
Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre
- Location: 150 Pioneer Drive, Kitchener
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Monday to Saturday)
- For temporary changes in operating hours due to holidays or adverse weather, please click here.
Forest Heights Community Centre
- Location: 1700 Queen’s Boulevard, Kitchener
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
- For temporary changes in operating hours due to holidays or adverse weather, please click here.
Grand River Recreation Complex / Lyle Hallman Pool
- Location: 555 Heritage Drive, Kitchener
- Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Monday to Friday) | 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
- For temporary changes in operating hours due to holidays or adverse weather, please click here.
Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum
- Location: 10 Huron Road, Kitchener
- Hours: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Wednesday to Sunday)
Kingsdale Community Centre
- Location: 72 Wilson Avenue, Kitchener
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Monday) | 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Tuesday to Thursday) | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Friday) | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Saturday)
- For temporary changes in operating hours due to holidays or adverse weather, please click here.
Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre
- Location: 44 Francis Street South, Kitchener
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday to Thursday) | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Friday)
Kitchener Memorial Auditorium (The Aud)
- Location: 400 East Avenue, Kitchener
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Monday to Friday) | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
- For temporary changes in operating hours due to holidays or adverse weather, please click here.
Region of Waterloo Headquarters
- Location: 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener
- Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
- Access to water fountains
Stanley Park Community Centre
- Location: 505 Franklin Street North, Kitchener
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Monday to Friday) | 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Saturday) | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Sunday)
- For temporary changes in operating hours due to holidays or adverse weather, please click here.
Victoria Hills Community Centre
- Location: 10 Chopin Drive, Kitchener
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
- For temporary changes in operating hours due to holidays or adverse weather, please click here.
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| North Dumfries |
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North Dumfries Community Complex
- Location: 2958 Greenfield Road, Ayr
- Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (everyday except for statutory holidays)
- Only available during Extreme Cold Warnings / Heat Warnings
Regional Library - Ayr
- Location: 137 Stanley Street, Ayr
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday | 2 - 6 p.m. Friday | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
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| Waterloo |
Albert McCormick Community Centre
- Location: 500 Parkside Drive, Waterloo
- Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Monday to Sunday)
- For temporary changes in operating hours due to holidays or adverse weather, please click here.
Moses Springer Community Centre
- Location: 150 Lincoln Road, Waterloo
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Monday to Sunday)
- For temporary changes in operating hours due to holidays or adverse weather, please click here.
RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex
- Location: 2001 University Avenue East, Waterloo
- Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Monday to Sunday)
- For temporary changes in operating hours due to holidays or adverse weather, please click here.
Region of Waterloo Building
- Location: 99 Regina Street South, Waterloo
- Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex
- Location: 101 Father David Bauer Drive, Waterloo
- Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Monday to Sunday)
- For temporary changes in operating hours due to holidays or adverse weather, please click here.
Waterloo Public Library - Albert McCormick Branch
- Location: 500 Parkside Drive, Waterloo
- Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday | Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Waterloo Public Library - Eastside Branch
- Location: 2001 University Avenue East, Waterloo
- Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday | Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Waterloo Public Library - John M. Harper Branch
- Location: 500 Fischer-Hallman Road North, Waterloo
- Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday | Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Waterloo Public Library - Main Library
- Location: 35 Albert Street, Waterloo
- Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday | Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Sunday: 1 - 4 p.m.
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| Wellesley |
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Regional Library - Linwood
- Location: 5279 Ament Line, Linwood
- Hours: 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday
Regional Library - St. Clements
- Location: 3605 Lobsinger Line, St. Clements
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday | 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday | 2 to 6 p.m. Friday
Regional Library - Wellesley
- Location: 1137 Henry Street, Wellesley
- Hours: 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday | 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
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| Wilmot |
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Regional Library - Baden
Location: 115 Snyder's Road East, Baden
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Thursday | 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Regional Library - New Dundee
- Location: 1176 Queen Street, New Dundee
- Hours: 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday
Regional Library - New Hamburg
- Location: 145 Huron Street, New Hamburg
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Thursday | 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday | 2 to 6 p.m. Friday | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Wilmot Recreation Centre
- Location:1291 Nafziger Road, Baden
- Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
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| Woolwich |
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Breslau Community Centre - Breslau
- Location: 100 Andover Drive, Breslau
- Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday | 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday | 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday
Regional Library – Elmira
- Location: 65 Arthur Street South, Elmira
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Thursday | 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday | 2 to 6 p.m. Friday | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Regional Library – St. Jacobs
- Location: 29 Queensway Drive, St. Jacobs
- Hours: 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday
Woolwich Memorial Centre – Elmira
- Location: 24 Snyder Avenue, South, Elmira
- Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Sunday
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Interactive Map of Cooling and Warming Centres in Waterloo Region
Instructions for using the interactive map of Cooling and Warming Centres in Waterloo Region:
- Click on the filter buttons above the map to filter for specific features (e.g., accessible building, building type, water fountain)
- Click on the icons in the map for specific details about each centre (e.g., hours of operation, address, parking availability, etc.)
- Click on the print icon at the top right of the window to print a PDF of your map selection
- Zoom in for additional features (e.g., bus routes and bus stops)
Contact ExtremeHeatCold@regionofwaterloo.ca to add a location to the Cooling and Warming Centre map, to correct any data, or to participate in the Waterloo Region Extreme Heat and Cold Partnership.
Waterloo Region Extreme Heat and Cold Partnership
The Waterloo Region Extreme Heat and Cold Partnership, coordinated by Region of Waterloo Public Health, is a collection of local partners that work together to reduce health risks associated with extreme heat and cold. The partnership works together to respond to Heat Warnings and Extreme Cold Warnings when issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada and focuses on populations who are most at risk for heat-related illness and cold injuries. This network includes representatives who run the Warming/Cooling Centres in Waterloo Region as well as partners who have front-line contact with vulnerable populations.
For more information, or to be added to the partnership, please contact Region of Waterloo Public Health at ExtremeHeatCold@regionofwaterloo.ca
How to receive weather alerts from Environment and Climate Change Canada
Additional Resources
