City officials also warned residents to take precautions such as staying indoors and drinking plenty of water
Antonia Acevedo is seen at Riverview Senior Center last year. On Wednesday, the city of Springfield announced the opening of a number of cooling centers as hot weather returned to the region.SPRINGFIELD – The city has opened five cooling centers in Springfield due to the hot weather.
The centers are open Wednesday and Thursday, from 1 to 8 p.m., at the following locations:
• Mason Square Senior Center, 74 Walnut St.
• Riverview Senior Center, 120 Clyde St. at Division Street
• Greenleaf Community Center, 1188 ½ Parker St.
• Pine Point Senior Center, - 335 Berkshire Ave.
• Evangelical Covenant Church, 915 Plumtree Road, corner of Bradley.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Helen R. Caulton-Harris, the city’s director of the Department of Health and Human Services, and Jan Rodriguez-Denney, director of elder affairs announced the openings, warning residents of the dangers of heat stress, particularly for the elderly and young.
Those at risk including the ill, are advised to stay indoors as much as possible, and drink plenty of water along with other precautions. They should avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day, stay inside air conditioned buildings and never leave a child or pet in closed vehicles.
For additional information, they can call the city’s customer service call center at 3-1-1 or (413) 736-3111.