Southington Opening Multiple Cooling Centers During Heat Wave

By Alexis Dascher, The Bristol Press

July 20, 2022

With temperatures on the rise, Southington is opening multiple cooling centers to relieve people with no air-conditioning.

The centers will be The Calendar House Senior Center, Southington Public Library and the Southington Police Department.

The Calendar House Senior Center will be open through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is located at 388 Pleasant Street.

Jay Baker, the emergency management director of the Southington Police Department, wrote a memorandum about the heat weather protocol.

The police department is located at 69 Lazy Lane.

“The governor’s office has approved the activation of the extreme heat weather protocol from 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 19, until 8 p.m. Sunday, July 24,” Baker said. “Depending on the long-term forecast, the protocol may be extended beyond Sunday.”

Baker said the cooling centers are activated because of the heat affecting Connecticut. According to Baker, the police department will be open when the library and senior center are closed.

Kristi Sadowski, the executive director of the Southington Public Library, said it is a “no-brainer” to encourage people to come to the library during the heat wave.

“We created a comfortable space for people to stay safe from the weather and the elements,” Sadowski said.

There will be events and other activities held at the library, Sadowski said.

“They can participate in our programs and engage with our resources,” she said. “We’re happy to welcome new people to the library.”

The library is located at 255 Main Street and is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We try to navigate or direct people to appropriate places after library hours and work with other community agencies,” she said. “While they’re here, we try to provide water.”