The National Weather Service is predicting that temperatures will reach well into the 90s at least through Saturday, so the Lexington Fayette Urban Government is opening “cooling centers” for those who need a break from the heat.
Heat index values are expected to be near or above 100 degrees for the next few days and Monica Conrad, Lexington Director of Parks and Recreation is encouraging those who have nowhere else to go to make use of three facilities that will be open as “cooling centers.”
Conrad says LexTran is offering rides to the centers, “Folks can just let the driver know that they’re going to a cooling center and they’ll get a free bus ride to that space.”
The three designated Lexington cooling centers are the Dunbar, Picadome and Tates Creek Community Centers.
More information and the open hours are online at www.lexingtonky.gov/heat.
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News release from Lexington Parks & Recreation:
LEXINGTON, Ky. - With temperatures expected to be in the mid-90s, and the heat index well over 100 degrees this week, Lexington officials plan to open multiple cooling centers.
The Dunbar Community Center, 545 North Upper St., will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday, July 20-21, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, July 22.
Rooms at Picadome, 469 Parkway Drive, and Tates Creek, 1400 Gainesway Drive, will be open from 7 a.m. to dark, Thursday, July 20, through Saturday, July 22.
Residents are invited to come to any of the three locations to cool off, said Monica Conrad, Director of Lexington Parks & Recreation.
Lextran is offering free rides to Lexington residents who need a ride to any of the three cooling centers. Citizens should tell the bus driver they are traveling to a cooling center.
During the high temperatures, admission to all Parks & Recreation pools will be half price Wednesday – Saturday.
For more information concerning high temperatures, please visit www.lexingtonky.gov/heat.
Meanwhile, the Lexington Herald-Leader is reporting that the city’s main homeless shelter for men will remain open. People staying there will be allowed to stay inside during the daytime hours.
The Hope Center on Loudon Avenue will be encouraging those on the streets to come indoors.
Hope Center officials say those who will not come to the air-conditioned shelter will get free bottles of water and referrals for services.
