Paso Robles opens cooling center for people needing to escape triple-digit heat
Paso Robles is expected to reach record-breaking temperatures this weekend, and not everyone has an indoor space to go to escape the heat.
From Friday to Wednesday, temperatures in Paso Robles are expected to hit triple digits, topping out at 111 degrees on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Evening temperatures from Friday to Wednesday will be in the high 60s, according to PG&E.
Atascadero will be a bit cooler but also could hit triple digits multiple days.
The city of Paso Robles does not have a homeless shelter. But to accommodate for those who may not have access to a cool space away from the heat, a cooling center will be available at the Centennial Park Gymnasium at 600 Nickerson Drive from Friday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the city said.
The city typically uses the Paso Robles City Library and Senior Center as cooling centers during heat waves. However, those two spaces were deemed unfit given social distancing requirements due to COVID-19, according to Paso Robles Department of Emergency Services Chief Jonathan Storenetta.
Stornetta wrote in an email to the Tribune that the gymnasium was chosen because of its large square footage, tall ceilings and hand washing facilities.
The space provides enough room for people to stay six feet apart from other groups while still being indoors.
The gymnasium also provides an area for temperature and symptom screening of all visitors, which will be required before entry to limit the potential spread of coronavirus, according to Stornetta.
Separate or alternative cooling rooms will be available for people who have coronavirus symptoms, Stornetta said.
Stornetta added that the gym was picked because it had not been open to the public.
