GUIDE: Cooling centers open to get out of Connecticut’s extreme heat

CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — Cooling centers are opening throughout the state Tuesday to give residents relief from another hot and humid day.

On Monday, Gov. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.) activated the state’s extreme hot weather protocol for the second time this year. The protocol is in effect through 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

As a part of the protocol, municipalities submitted information about cooling center locations to 211ct.org .

While the protocol is activated, people are asked to drink more water than usual and avoid alcohol.

News 8 is gathering a list of cooling centers, alphabetized below by city or town. Those in need of a place to get out of the heat can also call 2-1-1.

Bloomfield

There will be a cooling center available at the following location in Bloomfield between Sunday, July 7 through Tuesday July 9:

• The Alvin and Beatrice Wood Human Services Center : 330 Park Avenue: Sun: 10am-7pm; M-T: 9am-9pm.
• Town will provide water, but residents are asked to bring their own food. Residents should remember to also bring medications, emergency contact phone numbers, and any other items that may be needed during the day. Service dogs are always welcome.

Branford

• Community Center located at 46 Church Street
  Monday through Wednesday (July 8-10) from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• James Blackstone Memorial Library located at 758 Main Street
  Monday through Wednesday (July 8-10) from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library located at 146 Thimble Island Road
  Monday through Wednesday (July 8-10) from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Columbia

Cooling Centers available July 8 through July 10 the following locations:

• Saxton B. Little Library, 319 Route 87: M,F,Sat: 10am-5pm; T-Th: 10am-8pm
• Beckish Senior Center , 188 Route 66: M-W: 8am-3pm

Hartford

Cooling centers available at the following sites from 7/8-7/10

• Hartford Public Library, Park Street at The Lyric, 603 Park Street, Phone: 860-695-7500 , Hours: T-Th: 9am-6pm, F,Sat: 9am-5pm
• Hartford Public Library, Dwight Branch , 7 New Park Street, Phone: 860-695-7460 , Hours: T-Th: 9am-6pm, F: 9am-5pm
• Hartford Public Library, Campfield Branch , 30 Campfield Ave, Phone: 860-695-7440 , Hours: T-Th: 9am-6pm, F: 9am-5pm
• Hartford Public Library, Barbour Street, 261 Barbour Street, Phone: 860-695-7400 , Hours: T-Th: 9am-6pm, F: 9am-5pm
• Hartford Public Library, Albany Ave, 1250 Albany Ave, Phone: 860-695-7380 , Hours: T-Th: 9am-6pm, F,Sat: 9am-5pm
• Center Church , 60 Gold Street (Enter using the Lewis Street entrance), ( only Tuesday
  9AM — 6PM, this event ) regular hours, T-Sat: 9am-6pm
• Ropkins Library, 1750 Main Street, M-F: 9am-6pm
• Parker Memorial Community Center 2621 Main St.; M-F: 8am-8pm
• South End Wellness Senior Center 830 Maple Ave., T-Sat: 8:30am-3:30pm
• North End Senior Center 80 Coventry Street, Wednesday through Friday: 1:30-3:00
• Pope Park Recreation Center 30 Pope Park Dr., M-F: 8am-8pm

Meriden

Local cooling centers available during the ACTIVATION dates July 8 through July 10:

• Meriden Public Library , 105 Miller Street, Meriden – Open Monday from 9:30am to 5:00pm, and Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30am to 8:30pm
• Meriden Senior Center (lower level – use the Hanover Street entrance) – Open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 8:00 to 4:00pm.
• Meriden Mall , 470 Lewis Avenue, Meriden – Open to the public Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 11:00am to 8:00pm

Middletown

Cooling centers available from July 8 through July 10 at the following locations:

• City Hall lobby , 245 deKoven Drive – Open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
• Middletown Police Department lobby , 222 Main Street – Open 24 hours 7 days a week.
• Middletown Recreation Center lobby , 140 Wilderman’s Way – Open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
• Middletown Senior Center , 61 Durant Terrace – Open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
• Russell Library , 123 Broad Street – Open 9 am to 8 pm.

The city advises checking with these facilities prior to travel. Please note that there are no services such as food, beverage, or charging stations at cooling centers. In addition, the splash pad at Veterans Memorial Park is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm.

The City of Middletown will also be opening fire hydrant sprinklers at designated times and locations. The sprinklers will be open Monday, July 8 through Wednesday, July 10 and will be at the following locations:

• The Highlands Crescent Drive bus stop from 12 P.M. – 6 P.M.
• Julia Terrace from 12P.M – 6 P.M.
• Maplewood Terrace from12 P.M. – 6 P.M.

New Haven

Cooling Centers available through the summer months:

• Ives Main Library , 133 Elm Street | 203-946-8130
  Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Friday – Saturday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Sunday: Closed
• Fair Haven Branch , 182 Grand Avenue | 203-946-8115
  Monday – Wednesday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Thursday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm., Friday: Closed, Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday: Closed
• Mitchell Branch , 37 Harrison Street | 203-946-8117
  Monday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Tuesday – Thursday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Friday: Closed, Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday: Closed
• Stetson Branch , 197 Dixwell Avenue | 203-946-8119
  Monday – Tuesday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Wednesday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Thursday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Friday: Closed, Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday: Closed
• Wilson Branch , 303 Washington Avenue | 203-946-2228
  Monday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Tuesday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Wednesday – Thursday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Friday: Closed, Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday: Closed

Norwich

Local cooling center is available Tuesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 10 at the following location:

• Rose Senior Center, 8 Mahan Drive, T,W: 8am-4pm

Seymour

Local cooling center is available Tuesday, July 9 through Wednesday July 10 at:

• Seymour Public Library , 46 Church Street, T-Sat: 9am-5:00pm
• Seymour Community Services , 20 Pine Street, M-Th: 9am-4:30pm

Stamford

Cooling Centers available during the heat activations and summer months at the following locations:

• Stamford Government Center lobby , First floor lobby, 888 Washington Boulevard, Hours: 1st floor Lobby is available on Saturdays and Sundays, until 9:00pm
• Domus Community Center , 87 Lockwood Avenue, Hours: M-F: 8am-5pm
• Weed and Hollander Library , 1143 Hope Street, M,W,Th: 10am-6pm; T: 12noon-7pm; Sat: 10am-5pm
• South End Library : 34 Woodland Avenue, M-Th: 10am-5:30pm; Sat: 10am-2pm
• Harry Bennett Library , 115 Vine Road, M,T,Th,F: 10am-6pm; W: 10am-7pm; Sat: 10am-5pm
• DiMattia Library : One Public Library Plza, M-Th: 10am-8pm; F: 10am-6pm; Sat: 10am-5pm; Sun: 1-5pm
• Building One Community : 417 Shippan Avenue, 1st floor, T-F: 8am-6pm
• Chester Addison Community Center – Police Athletics Leage (PAL), 245 Selleck Street, M-F 10am-4pm
• New Covenant Center , 174 Richmond Hill Avenue – Monday – Saturday – 10:30 am to 5:30 pm, Sunday – 10:00 am to 1:30 pm

Waterbury

Cooling centers available due to the heat activation from Monday, July 8 through Wednesday July 10:

• North End Recreation Center , 268 N Main St, Waterbury, M-W: 8am–6pm
• CHD Hospitality Center , 690 E Main St, T-W 8am-8pm
• ​River Baldwin Recreation Center , 135 E Liberty St, Waterbury, M-W: 8am–6pm

West Hartford

Local cooling centers are available to the public at the following dates and hours for the summer of 2024:

• West Hartford Public Library Noah Webster Branch , 20 South Main Street, Hours: M-W: 10am-8pm; Th-Sat: 10am-5pm
• West Hartford Public Library Faxon Branch , 1073 New Britain Avenue, Hours: M: 10am-5pm; T: 10am-6pm, W: 1-8pm; Th: 10am-5pm; F,Sat: 10am-2pm
• West Hartford Public Library Bishops Corner Branch , 15 Starkel Road, Hours: M,Th: 10am-5pm; T: 1-8pm; W: 10am-6pm; F,Sat: 10am-2pm
• Westfarms Mall , 1500 New Britain Ave, Hours: M-Th: 10am-8pm; F,Sat: 10am-9pm; Sun: 11am-6pm

Winchester

Cooling Centers available from Monday, July 8 through Saturday, July 13:

• Winchester Town Hall , 338 Main Street, Francis P Hicks room; Hours; M-W: 8am-4pm, Th: 8am-6pm, F: 8am-12noon.
• Winsted Senior Center , 80 Holabird Avenue, Hours: M-Th: 8am-4pm; F: 8am-12noon.
• Beardsley Memorial Library : 40 Munro Place: Hours: T,W,F: 10am-6pm, Th: 10am-8pm, Sat: 10am-2pm.

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