Warming, Cooling and Clean Air Spaces

Warming, Cooling and Clean Air Spaces provide people temporary relief from heat, cold or poor air quality during regular business hours. Spaces are located in Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich. There is no expectation of extra services at these spaces above what is already provided. Some spaces are only open when Environment and Climate Change Canada issues heat warnings, extreme cold warnings, and Special Air Quality Statements. These are noted below and on the interactive map.

Warming, Cooling and Clean Air Spaces are intended to provide temporary relief from heat, cold and poor air quality. They are not available for extended stays. Emergency Shelters and Transitional Housing lists additional supports for people experiencing homelessness, including drop-in and street outreach services across the region.

Extreme Cold Warnings are issued when the temperature or wind chill is expected to reach minus 30° C for at least two hours.

Heat Warnings are issued when one or both of the following conditions are met:

Two consecutive days where the temperature is forecast to be 31° C or higher during the day and 20° C or higher at night
Two consecutive days where the humidex is forecast to be 40° C or higher

Warming, Cooling and Clean Air Spaces list

See below for a list of all Warming, Cooling and Clean Air Spaces by city and township. You can also download a printable version here.

New Warming, Cooling and Clean Air Spaces are always welcome. Contact Region of Waterloo Public Health at HeatColdAirQuality@regionofwaterloo.ca to have your facility listed.

Changes to regular business hours due to holidays or weather are not noted in this list. Use the "More Info" or temporary changes link on a listing to check for changes at that location.

Interactive Map of Warming, Cooling and Clean Air Spaces in Waterloo Region

To use the interactive map of Warming, Cooling and Clean Air Spaces in Waterloo Region:

Click on the buttons above the map to filter for specific features (e.g. accessibility, building type, water fountain)
Click on the map icons for details about each space (e.g. hours, address, parking)
Click on the print icon at the top right of the window to print a PDF of your filtered map
Zoom in for more features (e.g. bus routes and bus stops)

Contact HeatColdAirQuality@regionofwaterloo.ca to add a location or make a correction.

Waterloo Region Heat, Cold and Air Quality Network

The Waterloo Region Heat, Cold and Air Quality Network is coordinated by Region of Waterloo Public Health. This group of local partners works together to reduce health risks of extreme heat, cold and poor air quality. The network includes people who run the Warming, Cooling and Clean Air Spaces and who have frontline contact with vulnerable populations.

For more information, or to be added to the network, contact Region of Waterloo Public Health at HeatColdAirQuality@regionofwaterloo.ca.