Worcester Designates Cooling Centers Amid Extreme Heat

WORCESTER, MA — With a heat wave peaking on Thursday, Worcester officials have designated three municipal buildings as cooling centers.

The main Worcester library downtown and the Frances Perkins branch and the senior center along Providence Street will offer air conditioning to anyone who needs it. Water will also be provided at each location.

The city's Quality of Life team, which often interacts with homeless residents, will also be distributing water as needed.

The heat index in Worcester is expected to reach near 100 degrees Thursday afternoon, and will only drop to about 90 on Friday. Worcester schools will dismiss three hours early and forgo sports activities on Thursday and Friday. Many public school buildings do not have air conditioning.

The main library branch is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, and the Frances Perkins branch is open until 8:30 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday. The senior center is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

This is the second time this summer Worcester has designated cooling centers. A short heat wave at the end of July also saw the main library and senior center used as refuges from the heat.