How to cool down in Charlotte: Resources to find a pool or get to a cooling center

As temperatures rise in Mecklenburg County, officials have started offering free transportation to designated cooling stations, and extended pool hours, to help ensure safety.

On Friday, Charlotte hit 101 degrees at 4:20 p.m., National Weather Service meteorologist Jake Wimberley said. For Saturday, the expected high is 98 degrees, with a heat index as high as 107.

Charlotte last hit 100 or above on June 22, 2022, when we also reached 101 degrees. Before that, it was June 2015 when we’d last hit 100, and five times that month, Wimberley said.

”It’s pretty rare for Charlotte to hit 100 any time,” he said.

Free transportation to cooling stations

The Charlotte Area Transit System is providing free rides to various cooling stations across the county.

These stations include:

• Roof Above Day Services Center, 945 N College St., open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Block Love Charlotte’s Day Services Center, 2738 N Graham St., open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Recreation and senior centers

Several centers are open to people seeking relief:

• David B. Waymer Recreation Center, 14008 Holbrooks Road, Huntersville 28078

• Eastway Regional Recreation Center, 3150 Eastway Park Drive, Charlotte 28213

• Ivory/Baker Recreation Center, 1920 Stroud Park Court, Charlotte 28206

• Northern Regional Recreation Center, 18121 Old Statesville Road, Cornelius 28031

• Revolution Park Sports Academy, 1225 Remount Road, Charlotte 28208

• Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Road, Charlotte 28210

Spraygrounds and pools

Cool off at these locations, open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.:

• Clarks Creek Community Park, 5435 Hucks Road, Charlotte 28269

• Elizabeth Park, 1100 East Trade St., Charlotte 28204

• Cordelia Park, 600 East 24th St., Charlotte 28205

• First Ward Park, 301 East Seventh St., Charlotte 28202

• Latta Park, 601 East Park Ave., Charlotte 28203

• Nevin Park, 6100 Statesville Road, Charlotte 28269

• Romare Bearden Park, 300 South Church St., Charlotte 28202

• West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2401 Kendall Drive, Charlotte 28216

• Veterans Park, 2136 Central Ave., Charlotte 28205

Pools open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.:

• Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center, 2014 Statesville Ave. 28206 (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

• Cordelia Pool, 2100 North Davidson St. 28205 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

• Ramsey Creek Beach, 18441 Nantz Road 28031 (Wednesday to Sunday)

Fan distribution and energy assistance

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services is offering free box fans to seniors and disabled adults.

Residents can pick up fans by calling 980-314-6800 or emailing SFA-Events@MeckNC.gov .

Energy bill assistance is also available. Visit MeckNC.gov/Energy or call 704-336-3000 for more information.

Health and safety

WSOC, partner of The Charlotte Observer, spoke with Randall Hitt , vice president of unsheltered services at Roof Above, and he emphasized the importance of staying cool.

“When it gets really hot, the demand for showers goes up — not just hot showers, but cool ones,” Hitt said.

Outreach staff will visit homeless encampments to provide information and water. Mecklenburg County and its partners are closely monitoring the weather and ready to address any heat-related needs.

For more information, visit MeckNC.gov .

Observer staff writer Joe Marusak contributed to this story.