SAN ANTONIO – The city of San Antonio will open 28 cooling centers throughout the city to provide residents a respite from the hot weather.
Cooling centers will observe COVID-19 precautions, including screening, sanitation and social distancing guidelines, a news release said.
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According to the Metro Health Heat Plan, the city is currently at a Level III “heat advisory.” Under normal circumstances, cooling centers are not activated during Level III, but due to COVID-19 and fewer options for residents needing to seek shelter from the heat, the city is opening cooling centers sooner.
Ten Department of Human Services-operated comprehensive senior centers opened Tuesday and while the heat advisory is in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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To provide additional cooling center locations, select libraries will open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday as cooling centers only. Patrons seeking relief from the heat will be allowed to sit in designated areas and utilize Wi-Fi on their own devices. Browsing and computer use will not be available during this time.
Beginning June 15, select city park community centers will open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Following is a list of the cooling centers:
| Site Name | Address | Phone Number | Zip Code | Days, times open |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alicia Trevino Lopez Senior Center (District 6) | 8353 Culebra Rd. | 210.558.0178 | 78251 | M-F 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Bazan Library | 2200 W. Commerce St. | 210.207.9160 | 78207 | Starting June 20 Tuesdays 12-7 p.m. Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Bob Ross Senior Center | 2219 Babcock Rd. | 210.207.5300 | 78229 | M-F 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Carver Library | 3350 E. Commerce St. | 210.207.9180 | 78220 | From June 9-13 and beginning June 16 Tuesdays 12-7 p.m. Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Claude W. Black/Eastside MSC | 2805 E. Commerce St. | 210.207.5233 | 78202 | M-F 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Collins Garden Library | 200 Park Boulevard North | 210.207.9120 | 78204 | From June 9-13 and after June 16 Tuesdays 12-7 p.m. Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Copernicus Community Center | 5303 Lord Rd. | 210.648.1072 | 78220 | M-F 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Cortez Library | 2803 Hunter Blvd. | 210.207.9130 | 78224 | Beginning June 16 Tuesdays: 12-7 p.m. Wed–Sat 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Cuellar Community Center | 400 SW 36th St. | 210.207.3156 | 78237 | M-F 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| District 2 Senior Center (Council District 2) | 1751 S. WW White Rd. | 210.207.5390 | 78220 | M-F 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| District 5 Senior Center (Council District 5) | 2701 S. Presa St. | 210.207.5270 | 78210 | M-F 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Gilbert Garza Park | 1450 Mira Vista | 210.207.7275 | 78228 | M-F 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Hamilton Community Center | 10700 Nacogdoches Rd. | 210.207.3121 | 78217 | M-F 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Johnston Library | 6307 Sun Valley Drive | 210.207.9240 | 78227 | From June 9-13 and beginning June 16 Tuesdays 12-7 p.m. Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Memorial Library | 3222 Culebra Road | 210.207.9140 | 78228 | From June 9-13 Tuesdays 12-7 p.m. Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Miller’s Pond | 6175 Old Pearsall Rd | 210.623.2900 | 78242 | M-F 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Mission Library | 3134 Roosevelt | 210.207.2704 | 78214 | From June 9-13 and beginning June 16 Tuesdays 12-7 p.m. Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Normoyle Senior Center | 700 Culberson Ave | 210.207.5650 | 78211 | M-F 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Northeast Senior Center | 4135 Thousand Oaks Dr | 210.207.4590 | 78217 | 78210 |
| Palm Heights Community Center | 1201 W. Malone Ave | 210.207.3099 | 78225 | M-F 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Pan American Library | 1122 West Pyron | 210.207.9150 | 78221 | Beginning June 16 Tuesdays: 12-7 p.m. Wed–Sat 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Ramirez Community Center | 1011 Gillette Blvd | 210.921.0681 | 78224 | M-F 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Schaefer Library | 6322 US Hwy 87 E | 210.207.9300 | 78222 | Beginning June 16 Tuesdays: 12-7 p.m. Wed–Sat 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| South Side Lions Senior Center | 3303 Pecan Valley Dr | 210.207.1760 | 78210 | M-F 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Southside Lions Community Center | 3100 Hiawatha | 210.207.3155 | 78210 | M-F 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| West End Park Senior Center (Council District 1) | 1226 NW 18th Street | 210.207.1719 | 78207 | M-F 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Westfall Library | 6111 Rosedale | 210.207.9220 | 78201 | From June 9-13 and beginning June 16 Tuesdays 12-7 p.m. Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Willie M. Cortez Senior Center | 5512 W Military Dr | 210.207.5294 | 78242 | M-F 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
The Department of Human Services, in partnership with Catholic Charities, is providing free box fans to community seniors through the Project Cool program. Residents who would like to request a fan or have heat related resources, should call the United Way Helpline at 211.
With increasing heat, Metro Health reminds the community to take the following precautions:
- Spend time at home or locations with air-conditioning. Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death.
- Stay well hydrated, regardless of your activity level.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and appropriate sunscreen.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine intake.
- Avoid heavy and/or hot foods—they add heat to your body.
- Limit outdoor activities during the heat of the day. Exposure to full sunshine can increase Heat Index Values by up to 15°F.
- Monitor those at high risk such as the elderly, infants, young children, and people who are ill or have chronic disease, such as heart disease or high blood pressure.
- Do not leave children or pets unattended in a closed, parked vehicle.