Mecklenburg County Opens Cooling Stations Amid Ongoing Heat Wave

CHARLOTTE, NC — Mecklenburg County officials activated a network of community cooling stations Thursday as the Charlotte metro region was set to experience the hottest conditions so far this year.

"As summer temperatures continue to rise, Mecklenburg County, in partnership with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office (CMEMO) and homeless service providers, is working to provide refuge for residents from the extreme heat," the county said.

According to the National Weather Service, heat index values up to 105 degrees are expected Thursday and Friday throughout western North Carolina, as well as the Piedmont. The heat advisory is in effect for areas including Mecklenburg, Iredell, Gaston, Lincoln, Cleveland, Davie and Rowan counties through Friday, July 30.

Additionally, a code orange air quality alert is in effect for Charlotte, Huntersville, Matthews, Concord and Kannapolis until 8 p.m. Thursday.

SEE ALSO: Hottest Days Of The Year, Air Quality Alert For Charlotte Metro

The cooling stations will be open Thursday, July 29 and Friday, July 30.

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) buses will provide free rides to anyone to the Roof Above Day Services Center, any Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library branch, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Centers, Senior Centers and spray ground and pool locations, the county said.

Here's a list of community resources available for those looking for a respite from the heat:

• The Roof Above Day Services Center will be a cooling station for anyone experiencing homelessness. The center, which is located a 945 N. College Street, will be open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on the weekends.
• The Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center, which is located a 2014 Statesville Avenue in Charlotte, is also a cooling station. It is open Thursday and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• The Cordelia Pool, which is located at 2100 N. Davidson Street in Charlotte, is open Sunday and Tuesday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., with limited capacity.
• All Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library locations are also open to the public from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, and from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. More information about library locations may be found here

Park and Recreation spray grounds available for use include:

• Clarks Creek Community Park, 5435 Hucks Road, Charlotte
• Captain Jack, Elizabeth Park, 1100 E. Trade St., Charlotte
• Cordelia Park, 600 E. 24th St., Charlotte
• First Ward Park, 309 E. Seventh St., Charlotte
• Latta Park, 601 East Park Ave., Charlotte
• Nevin Park, 6100 Statesville Rd., Charlotte
• Romare Bearden Park, 300 S. Church St., Charlotte
• West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2401 Kendall Drive, Charlotte

Park and Recreation Centers and Senior Centers are also open to the public:

• Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center, 2921 Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte
• David B. Waymer Recreation Center, 14008 Holbrooks Road, Huntersville
• Eastway Regional Recreation Center, 3150 Eastway Park Drive, Charlotte
• Mallard Creek Recreation Center, 2530 Johnston Oehler Road, Charlotte
• Ivory/Baker Recreation Center, 1920 Stroud Park Court, Charlotte
• Revolution Park Sports Academy, 1225 Remount Road, Charlote
• Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Road, Charlotte

SEE ALSO: Mecklenburg County Offers Free Box Fans For Seniors, Disabled

Mecklenburg County is also offering senior citizens and adults receiving disability income free box fans this summer. To receive a fan, participants must pre-register online for a date and time to pick one up at one of seven locations in the county. Pre-registration for the Senior Fan Program may be completed online here or by calling a county recreation center.