As temperatures approach record levels, the city of Spokane will open the Looff Carrousel in Riverfront Park as well as public libraries to those with no other option to escape the heat.The carrousel will be open as a cooling center from 11 am to 7 pm from Saturday until the heat wave dissipates. Public libraries will be open during their business hours, and several homeless shelters including House of Charity and the Way Out Shelter have space available in the daytime, according to the city.
The Spokane Regional Health District is also using the same infrastructure it used to connect those experiencing homelessness to vaccines for heat resources says Kylie Kingsbury, the homeless outreach coordinator at the Spokane Regional Health District.
“It’s just one more opportunity to think about how vulnerable community members experiencing homelessness are, and just like in the COVID pandemic where the recommendations were to isolate from others, to stay home, that’s not something that’s an option for community members experiencing homelessness. When we have high temperatures, and high smoke levels in the community, the options for them are limited as well," she said.
She said there will be teams out around the community during the heatwave offering COVID-19 vaccines, water bottles, sunscreen and directions to resources.
East Side, Hillyard, and Indian Trail
Tuesday 12 to 8 pm
Wednesday through Saturday 10 am to 6 pm
South Hill
Sunday closed
Monday and Tuesday 10 am to 8 pm
Wednesday through Saturday 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday closed
STA Plaza and Northtown Mall
Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday and Monday closed
