Two of city’s cooling centers to be open weekdays as needed

Two City of Madera cooling centers are remaining open on weekdays. They are:

Pan Am Community Center, 703 East Sherwood Way, Madera, CA, 93638

Phone: 675-2095

Open: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday

Frank Bergon Senior Center, 238 South D Street

Phone: 673-4293

Open: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday

Cooling centers are available on weekdays only. Days of activation vary depending on weather conditions.

Madera Transit Division offers free bus rides to accommodate those in need of transportation to local cooling centers between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Simply board any route 1 bus and let the driver know you are headed to a cooling center. For Dial-A-Ride (as available only), riders must advise dispatch when scheduling pick-up that they desire to be taken to a cooling center. Residents may contact Dial-A-Ride at 661-7433.

Cooling centers are open to the public and meant to provide relief for those who otherwise do not have access to an air-conditioned environment. The City of Madera urges residents to take steps to protect against heat-related illnesses. These illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, occur when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. Children, senior adults and people with chronic illness are at highest risk. For more information on staying cool during times of extreme heat, see Pacific Gas & Electric’s Summer Safety Tips page (https://bit.ly/2rajPuC).

City officials monitor weather conditions and may call for activation of cooling centers at any time that temperatures are forecast to meet or exceed 105°F, or if temperatures are expected to meet or exceed 100°F for two or more consecutive days.

The public can refer to the City’s website, www.madera.gov to confirm cooling center activation. Additionally, residents with questions regarding cooling centers may contact the centers directly at the telephone numbers provided or by calling the City of Madera’s Department of Parks and Community Services at 661-5495.

The City’s cooling centers are made possible through grant funds from Pacific Gas & Electric Company.