Cooling centers provide respite during extreme heat waves

Northwest Indiana Community Action and other sources list the following cooling centers in the region. Cooling centers provide air-conditioned facilities which are open to the public during dangerously hot weather.

Spending a few hours in an air-conditioned environment can bring down the body’s core temperature and make it easier to handle the heat. Older and/or frail adults, homeless people, parents with small children and persons with health conditions that may be made worse by the weather should consider spending time in a cooling center, particularly between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., when temperatures are at their highest.

The city of Hobart also reminds residents to check on the well-being of any neighbors who may be homebound or invalid.

Cooling centers may also have water and other liquids available to protect against dehydration, and some allow pets. Most of the centers listed here are free to the public.

HOBART

Fire Station 2, 2400 block of W. Old Ridge Rd., or PCC meeting room in the 700 block of E. Fourth St.; hours, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; 219-942-6112 (mayor’s office).

Hobart branch library, 100 Main St.; Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; 219-942-2243.

LAKE STATION

Main cooling center is Fire Station 1, 1876 Fairview; if that site fills up, the secondary site is Lake Station City Hall, 1969 Central Ave.; 219-962-2081.

CHESTERTON

Westchester Public Library’s Thomas branch, 200 W. Indiana Ave.; weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sundays, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.; 219-926-7696.

PORTER

VFW Post 2511, 1290 Wagner Rd; free ice will also be available to those who stop by; 219-926-4441.

Westchester Public Library’s Hageman branch, 100 Francis St.; Mondays through Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.; 219-926-9080.

PORTAGE

Porter County Public Library, 2665 Irving St.; Mondays through Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; 219-763-1508.

SOUTH HAVEN

Porter County Public Library, 403 W. 700 N., Valparaiso; Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; 219-759-4474.

VALPARAISO

Porter County Aging and Community Services, 1005 N. Campbell St.; weekdays, 8:0 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.; 219-464-9736.

Valparaiso Family YMCA, 1201 Cumberland Crossing; weekdays, 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 to 6:00 p.m.; 219-462-4185.

Banta Senior Center, 605 Beech St.; weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; closed weekends; 219-462-1301.

Ivy Tech Community College, 3100 Ivy Tech Dr. (Eastport Industrial Complex); weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; 219-464-8514.

Porter County Public Library, 103 Jefferson St; weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sundays, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center, 1511 LaPorte Ave; weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Thursdays, also 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.; 219-464-4042.

Valparaiso University’s Harre Union building, on campus; Mondays through Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; 219-464-5415.

MICHIGAN CITY

Michigan City Police Department, 1201 E. Michigan Blvd.; open daily, 24 hours; 219-874-3221.

Michigan City Senior Center, 2 on the Lake (inside Washington Park); weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; 219-873-1504.

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