By Steve Hubrecht
The Columbia Valley has seen stretches of searing heat interspersed with stretches of relatively cooler temperatures and even a bit of rain here and there this summer.
Temperatures in excess of 35 degrees Celsius or higher were once infrequent in the valley. It happened for a few days each summer, maybe a week or two at most.
Over the past few summers, however, such temperatures have become more common to the point that many valley residents call it ‘the new normal.’
Hotter summers are obviously bad news for wildfires (which have also become more common), but they also pose problems for locals simply for the sheer heat they bring.
The relatively mild climate of the Columbia Valley (at least up until about five years ago) means that most homes here still do not have air conditioners.
When the mercury soars residents have a few options: sit indoors and swelter; head into the backyard and suffer; hike into the alpine for a high elevation reprieve; or spend all day at the beach, dipping in and out of the lake.
But if you’re looking for a way to keep cool that doesn’t involve treading up steep trails or getting wet, you’re in luck — the Invermere Public Library has been functioning as a municipal cooling centre for several summers.
Summers in the valley have become noticeably hotter (and noticeably smokier), noted library director Blair McFarlane.
A free place to cool down, and to read, access wifi, use the computers, or take part in other activities sounds good to a growing number of residents and visitors, too.
“We do get quite a few people coming in when the air conditioning is going. We definitely notice more foot traffic when it’s really hot,” McFarlane told the Pioneer.
“There’s something for everyone to enjoy. You can read a book, of course, but we have colouring for kids, board games, and a lot more . . . no matter the temperature or the season, the library is one of the only places in town where people can come and stay as long as they like without the expectation of spending money.”
McFarlane estimates the library gets at least 100 people a day coming through its doors during the hottest summer days.
Invermere is not alone — other municipalities across British Columbia and the entire country are gaining attention as places to shelter when the summer gets scorching.
