Neighbourhood spray parks were popular destinations Thursday. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Keeping cool

In pictures: Prince Albert beats the heat

Jun 3, 2021 | 12:31 PM

In the midst of a record breaking heatwave engulfing much of the prairies, Prince Albert residents found ways to stay cool Thursday.

Environment Canada showed the temperature in Prince Albert had reached 21 Celsius before 9 a.m.

By 5 p.m. the mercury neared record breaking levels, registering at 34.1 C.

The hottest June 3 on record in P.A. occurred in 1961 when the temperature was 34.4 C.

People of all ages headed to city parks to cool off. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

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Environment Canada Meteorologist Terri Lang explained current conditions are being caused by a ridge of high pressure sitting over western Canada from British Columbia into southern Manitoba.

That ridge will start to slowly collapse causing warmer temperatures to start moving south in the next couple days, Lang said. By the weekend, more seasonal weather is expected to return.

While city streets were largely quiet Thursday morning, local spray parks were busy with families trying to beat the heat.

The newly upgraded splash zone at Lions Park was one of the city’s busiest on Thursday morning. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

Meanwhile, staff at the Kinsmen Water Park were putting the finishing touches on the facility, which opens for the season Friday.

“It’s going to be a great safe place for people to cool off,” aquatic recreation programmer Lauren Haubrich told paNOW.

Unlike last year when COVID-19 limited some operations, all parts of the water park will be accessible for the 2021 season.

“The slides are open, the tot pool’s open and the hot tub’s open, although you’re not thinking of it on a day like today,” Haubrich said.

Staff are on site readying the Kinsmen Water Park for opening. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for much of the province. While extreme heat affects everyone, the risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors.

Dive in: The Kinsman Water Park is ready to welcome swimmers. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

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alison.sandstrom@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @alisandstrom