Erin Hut, Communications Director, 509.625.6740 & Brian Walker, Communications Manager, 509.655.1387
Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 2:06 p.m.
The City of Spokane has added a free evening swim option at three pools for this Saturday only and will again expand library hours at some locations this weekend as high temperatures remain in the National Weather Service forecast.
Spokane Municipal Code calls for the activation of cooling spaces when the temperature is predicted by the NWS to be 95 degrees or higher for at least two consecutive days.
The City purchased pallets of water for library cooling centers, outreach teams, and shelters in anticipation of the heat wave.
Cooling areas
People seeking relief from the heat can visit Spokane Public Library locations or the Trent Resource and Assistance Center (TRAC).
Library locations include:
Libraries will be open during regular hours on weekdays, and select locations will extend hours over the weekend. Expanded hours will be at Liberty Park from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and Liberty Park, Indian Trail and Central from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
People can also seek relief at TRAC, 4320 E. Trent Ave. TRAC offers industrial fans, meals, supplemental hydration resources and snacks for those seeking shelter during heat waves, as well as comprehensive wrap-around services for those in need. The shelter is accepting water and Gatorade/Powerade donations. Shelters throughout the city report their occupancy data on the sheltermespokane.org website, where resources are also listed.
Jewels Helping Hands will also have a cooling tent from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday in front of House of Charity, 32 W. Pacific Ave. Donations of fruit, hydration packets and water can be dropped off at the tent or at 3923 N. Cedar. The tent is an collaboration between Jewels and House of Charity.
Public transportation options
Spokane Transit Authority will offer fare exceptions to riders going to and from a cooling space when the temperature is 95 degrees or above. If a passenger boards a bus and indicates they do not have fare payment, and that they are traveling to a cooling area, STA will allow them to ride for free. This practice remains in effect for same-day return trips during evening hours even after the temperature drops below 95 degrees. Cooling areas are accessible by most Spokane Transit routes.
Additionally, The Salvation Army offers vans that can meet people where they are at and help them connect to local shelters. Call 509.280.6860 or 509.280.6894 for a ride.
Pools and Splash Pads
Pools and splash pads are great places to cool down for free.
City of Spokane pools host free open swimming Monday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m. at all six City aquatic centers. Free evening swim sessions from 6 – 8:30 p.m. rotate by day/location. This Saturday, Aug. 3, an additional free evening swim will be added at A.M. Cannon (1900 W. Mission), Comstock (600 W. 29th), and Hillyard pools (3000 E. Columbia).
Splash pads are operational daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 19 parks. For more on pools and splash pads, visit SpokaneParks.org/aquatics.
Future support
The EPA announced the Spokane Climate Resilience Project – a collaboration including the City of Spokane – that will provide $19.9 million in Community Change grant funding to support disadvantaged Spokane communities through environmental and climate justice work.
Of the award, $8 million dollars will be designated to the City of Spokane and Spokane Public Library to add infrastructure in the coming months to City-owned facilities, outfitting them to serve as Community Resilience Hubs during extreme weather.
