Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740
Friday, July 23, 2021 at 4:02 p.m.
The City will reopen its flexible, scalable network of 1,000 spaces in central and in-neighborhood cooling centers to anyone needing relief from the heat when temperatures are expected to spike on Sunday.
Cooling centers will operate in the multi-purpose rooms at the Looff Carrousel and will be open for use Sunday, July 25 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. until the forecasted high drops below 95 degrees. Spokane Public Library locations are closed Sunday and Monday, however will be open Tuesday. People who would like to help at the Looff Carrousel location, can register to volunteer online on July 25 and July 26. Volunteers will assist City staff, who will manage the space.
“Temporary cooling centers will be open for anyone who needs relief from the heat,” Mayor Nadine Woodward said. “We are also urging people to begin hydrating early and to check on friends and neighbors who may need a little assistance managing through the hotter weather.”
People are encouraged to plan ahead to know where cooling resources are located, including those operated by community partners, and check in with loved ones, friends, and neighbors throughout the high heat to develop a personal plan for managing cooling, hydration, and transportation needs. Malls, movie theaters, businesses, and shaded neighborhood parks can also meet localized needs for intermittent relief.
Drink plenty of water and juices, know the signs of heat stroke and exhaustion, and seek medical assistance early if you have concerns.
The Looff multi-purpose rooms were open as a cooling center on July 18 and 19, and 72 and 36 people, respectively, used the space. Peak times were in the early afternoon both days and during the 5 pm hour on Sunday.
