As the city continues its hazy climb into the high 30s and low 40s, we can’t help but wonder what the deal is with these cooling centres everyone is talking about. Where are they? What do they have to offer me? When we think of urban cooling centre, we think of a sexy fireman hosing us down in an alley, or a bunch of nefarious youths breaking open a fire hydrant to dance in the streets. Or maybe David Miller serving us a mojito. But the city’s cooling centres are none of the above-they’re air conditioned spaces where you can grab a cold drink and some info on heat safety (PLEASE CHECK ON YOUR ELDERLY NEIGHBOURS.) We’ve got a list of the city’s cooling centres below, one open 24 hours, and a list of our favourite cooling centres, because sometimes the best way to chill out is not municipally sanctioned.

The City’s Cooling Centres
Metro Hall Cooling Centre (55 John Street at King St. W.)-OPEN 24 HOURS
Centennial Park Recreation Centre – 1967 Ellesmere Rd. On Ellesmere Rd, west of Dolly Varden Blvd.
Driftwood Community Centre – 4401 Jane St. On Jane St., north of Finch Ave.
East York Civic Centre – 850 Coxwell Ave. On Coxwell Ave., south of O’Connor Dr.
Etobicoke Olympium – 590 Rathburn Rd. On Rathburn Rd. at Melbert Rd.
McGregor Community Centre – 2231 Lawrence Ave. E. On Lawrence Ave. E., east of Birchmount Rd.
North York Civic Centre – 5100 Yonge St. On Yonge St., north of Sheppard Ave. W

She Does The City’s Cooling Centres
Drake Scoops and Tees, 1142 Queen St. W.
AGO Free Wednesday Evenings, from 6 until 8:30 pm
O’Connor Bowl, 1401 O’Connor Drive (Glow bowling is Saturday nights at 7 and 9, just FYI)
Pools, Pools, Pools, Pools, Pools!
Lavender and mint mojitos at The Wilson 96, 615 College St.
Frozen Yogurt for a dollar and a hot dog for 50 cents at IKEA