Public Cooling Center To Stay Open Through Sunday Night

The City of Pasadena will operate the Jackie Robinson Community Center as a cooling center through Sunday, as a National Weather Service heat advisory covers much of Los Angeles County.

The center, at 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave. in northwest Pasadena, gives residents an air-conditioned place to escape the heat. Forecasters have warned that the heat poses a high risk of illness for older adults, young children and people without air conditioning.

The city said the cooling center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, July 23 to 24, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for much of Los Angeles County beginning Wednesday morning, with highs of 88 to 96 degrees common in inland-coast areas, including Downtown Los Angeles, and overnight temperatures expected to bring less relief than usual.

Local public health officials have urged residents to stay hydrated and cool, limit time in the sun and check on older neighbors and others at higher risk of heat illness, which can range from heat cramps to heat stroke.

The Jackie Robinson Community Center is the city’s designated cooling center, a site Pasadena identifies in its extreme-weather planning and opens specifically as a cooling center during heat events. The city lists the center on its Extreme Weather Portal and classifies its other community and recreation centers and its public libraries as air-conditioned indoor relief rather than official cooling centers.

Under state public health guidance, cooling centers are air-conditioned facilities meant to provide relief from heat, particularly for higher-risk residents such as older adults, young children and people with chronic health conditions. The designation signals that residents without air conditioning at home and others seeking relief may use the center during posted hours, whether or not they take part in its programs.

State guidance also recommends that official cooling centers meet Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards, including accessible entrances, restrooms and interior routes.

For accessibility information and requests, contact the city at CSC@cityofpasadena.net or (626) 744 7311.

The advisory is scheduled to remain in effect until 8 p.m. Monday.