Community centers and libraries open as cooling centers during the heat wave

With temperatures reaching 100 this week, community centers, swimming pools, libraries and other venues are making their facilities available to those who need to escape the heat this summer.

Although some movie theaters, swimming pools, and even libraries require some sort of membership or ticket price to enjoy their air-conditioned facilities, local community centers like the Crystal Community Center offer it for free.

Recreation Director John Elholm says the Crystal Community Center is a place where children and seniors can escape the summer heat and even enjoy some scheduled programs.

“Residents can enter anytime during business hours,” Elholm said. “There aren’t many activities to do, as most activities are scheduled in advance. But there are benches in the hallway and they are welcome to cool off here.

According to the Hennepin County Heat Advisory site, in a normal year, more than 600 Americans die from complications from overheating, making cooling centers essential. Services like these are especially helpful for those who use public transit and people who are homeless.

To find a local cooling center in your area, please visit. www.hennepin.us/cool

See also: ‘Now is the time to call’, warn air conditioning experts to prepare before the heat wave

Downtown Brooklyn | Brooklyn Park | Crystal | Golden Valley | Maple grove | New Hope | Osseo | Plymouth | Robbinsdale