Chandler’s heat relief services began May 1

The city of Chandler will open a respite center and nine cooling locations beginning May 1, offering residents a safe place to recover and cool down from the extreme heat.

Chandler’s respite center will be located at AZCEND, 345 S. California St. The center will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and on Sundays, according to a news release.

During excessive heat warnings, the center will open on Saturdays and overnight.

The effort is in partnership with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health and  Maricopa Association of Governments’ Heat Relief Network.

The center will provide air-conditioning, hydration, snacks and a place for uninterrupted rest. Guests also will have access to restroom facilities, shower and laundry services. The city’s community navigation team will be available to offer their resources as needed by guests. 

During last year’s hotter months, Chandler provided respite and cooling center services and operated an Emergency Portable A/C Lending Program. Maricopa County supported transportation services countywide. In total, 736 unduplicated individuals visited the Respite Center 7,518 times.

Nine cooling centers operated throughout Chandler and almost 20,000 bottles of water and more than 23,000 meals/snacks were provided to vulnerable residents. Nine households participated in the Emergency A/C Lending Program.

The eight cooling centers will offer water, snacks and a reprieve from the heat. These cooling stations will operate at the following locations during regular business hours:

• Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive
  7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mondays through Wednesdays; 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
• Chandler Nature Center, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
• Chandler Neighborhood Resources Department, 235 S. Arizona Ave., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
• Downtown Chandler Library, 22 S. Delaware St.
  9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday–Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday–Saturday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays.
• Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays; 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday–Friday; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. 
• Sunset Library, 4930 W. Ray Road, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays; 1 p m. to  5 p.m. Sundays.
• Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Road, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
• Salvation Army, 85 E. Saragosa St., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

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