Extreme heat warning extends pool hours, opens cooling centers

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an extreme heat warning for Greene County from 12 p.m. Saturday, July 19, through 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 23. 

To help residents stay cool and safe during heat events, the Springfield-Greene County Park Board adjusts pool schedules and offers cooling center options. These extra options are available only during NWS heat events. 

POOLS AND WATER

When staffing and facilities are available, the Park Board strives to keep one outdoor pool open late during heat events, including:

• Sat., July 19, Meador Pool, 2600 S. Fremont Ave.,  open until 8 p.m. 
• Sun., July 20, Silver Springs Pool, 1100 N. Hampton Ave., open until 8 p.m.
• Mon., July 21, late outdoor pool hours are not available due to staffing
• Tues., July 22, Silver Springs Pool, 1100 N. Hampton Ave., open until 8 p.m.
• Wed., July 23, Meador Pool, 2600 S. Fremont Ave.,  open until 8 p.m.    

Outdoor pool admission is $5 for youth and seniors, $6 for adults, 1-5:30 p.m. Admission to all locations drops to $1, or free with a canned food donation, every day, 5:30-6:30 p.m., and that discount rate also extends to 8 p.m. when pools remain open late. Food donations benefit Ozarks Food Harvest.

Other outdoor and indoor pools are open, following a regular weekly schedule. For information on pool locations, schedules and more, visit ParkBoard.org/Aquatics. 

The public is also welcome to cool off in the water at the Ozarks Stream and Fountain at Jordan Valley Park, 635 E. Trafficway. Fountains run daily, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m., with fountain shows every hour on the hour. Admission is free. 

COOLING CENTERS

All three Springfield-Greene County Park Board Family Centers, as well as Brightspeed Ice Park, open their entrance lobbies as free public cooling centers during NWS heat events. All lobbies have seating, restroom access and air conditioning. No formal programming is planned. Visitors may purchase day passes for $10-$15 to access family center programs and amenities. 

Family Center locations and lobby hours are:

• Chesterfield Family Center, 2511 W. Republic Road, 417-891-1616
• Dan Kinney Family Center, 2701 S. Blackman Road, 417-891-1500
• Doling Family Center, 301 E. Talmage Ave., 417-837-5900
• Monday-Friday, 5 a.m.- 9 p.m.
• Saturday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Sunday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Brightspeed Ice Park’s location and lobby hours are:

• 735 E. Trafficway, 417-866-7444
• Daily, 12-5 p.m. 

This cooling center entrance is the east-side door, facing the Jordan Valley Park fountains.