Residents of 3 buildings managed by 1 company say they're enduring sweltering wait for air conditioning

Residents at three different apartment blocks run by the same property management company say they're fed up with the fact their central air conditioning hasn't been turned on despite record-breaking Winnipeg heat.

They're worried that if it isn't turned on soon, it may impact people with medical conditions or seniors in their buildings and someone could end up in hospital.

They also say they need a reprieve from the heat to be able to sleep and carry out day-to-day activities.

"I'm just trying to be a voice for all the people in here," said Barbara Faria, 82, who has lived in the building at 135 Niakwa Road, managed by Edison Properties, for more than a decade.

"Just to draw attention so [they can do something] sooner than later, before something drastic happens," she said.

"Somebody may fall in their apartment. You can have heat stroke in your apartment … or they can have a medical emergency. All kinds of factors can come into play."

Keith Tarrant, another resident of the Niakwa building, said he's struggling.

"I've been sleeping all day because it's too hot to do anything," Tarrant said. "It's just too hot to keep moving around. It's hard to think."

A memo posted by Edison Properties in the building's lobby and elevators, dated May 2, said as the warmer months approach, they are preparing to begin their "annual chiller startups" to provide cooling for tenants. The notice said this year, the startups will take place during the week of May 20 to 30.

The memo also said for the chillers to operate properly, the "ambient temperature must remain at or above" 12 C. The system shuts down automatically if temperatures fall below that threshold, the notice said.

"Based on current forecasts — which show cooler nighttime temperatures — we have selected this time frame to help ensure successful startups," the memo said. 

"However, due to this year's unpredictable weather patterns, if we see a consistent warming trend earlier than expected, we will make every effort to begin chiller startups ahead of schedule."

CBC News has asked Edison Properties for comment.

'Almost unbearable'

The lack of air conditioning has hampered just about every aspect of Logan Edwards' life, he said, including his work, which he does from home.

Edwards, who lives at an Edison Properties apartment complex at 415 Edison Ave., said because of the heat, he has only been getting about one or two hours of sleep and has a rash from sweating constantly.

He called the last week and a half to two weeks "almost unbearable." 

He spent more than $300 for a portable air conditioner so he could get some rest. 

"If it's affecting people's health. I think it's something that should be acted on almost immediately," he said.

Edwards said he was told there's a "set date by a third party" when they can come to turn on the air conditioning, and that it would be in "mid-May." 

"I reached out to the head office, and they basically just said open a window at night, but that doesn't really help when it's 26 at night," he said.

Amanda Sawatzky, who lives at the Edison-run building at 21 Clayton Drive, sent CBC News a picture Friday of a temperature reading of more than 30 C that she said was taken in her apartment. 

Sawatzky said she filed a complaint with the Residential Tenancies Branch and was told the reason they're not turning it on the air conditioning is "because when the temperatures lower at night, then their central air conditioner unit on the roof doesn't work."

Sawatzky also spoke to the resident manager at her building, who told her the air conditioning would be turned on May 26, but she said that's not early enough. 

"I just want our AC on," she said. "A lot of us in here want the AC on." 

While cooler temperatures are on the horizon in Winnipeg, Faria hopes the complaints will be heard. 

"I hope they get the message and act swiftly to help all the residents," she said.