Cooling centers and places to beat the heat in Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Cass counties
As temperatures climb across Southwest Michigan, residents looking to escape the heat have several options throughout Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Cass counties.
With excessive heat expected next week ahead of the holiday weekend, here’s where and how to beat the heat.
As temperatures climb across Southwest Michigan, residents looking to escape the heat have several options throughout Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Cass counties.
The following locations include designated cooling centers as well as public buildings and community spaces that offer air-conditioned refuge during periods of extreme heat. Hours and availability may change, especially during weather emergencies, so residents are encouraged to call ahead when possible.
Kalamazoo County
First Congregational Church
345 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo
Cooling center open noon to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday during the current heat event.
Douglass Community Association
1000 W. Patterson St., Kalamazoo
Cooling center open noon to 5 p.m. Saturday during the current heat event.
Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries
448 N. Burdick St., Kalamazoo
Provides cooling shelter during periods of dangerous heat.
Libraries and Public Buildings
Kalamazoo Public Library — Central Branch
315 S. Rose St., Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Public Library — Washington Square Branch
1244 Portage St., Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Public Library — Eastwood Branch
1112 Gayle Ave., Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Public Library — Oshtemo Branch
7265 W. Main St., Kalamazoo
Portage District Library
300 Library Lane, Portage
Zhang Senior Center
2400 Romence Road, Portage
Housing Resources Inc.
420 E. Alcott St., Kalamazoo
St. Joseph County
Cooling Centers
Three Rivers Public Library
88 N. Main St., Three Rivers
St. Joseph County Commission on Aging — Three Rivers
1200 W. Broadway St., Three Rivers
Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
St. Joseph County Commission on Aging — Sturgis Enrichment Center
306 N. Franks Ave., Sturgis
Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Additional Public Spaces
Three Rivers First United Methodist Church
215 N. Main St., Three Rivers
Listed community cooling space hours include Monday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cass County
Cooling Centers and Community Facilities
Front Street Crossing
227 S. Front St., Dowagiac
The Lowe Center
60525 Decatur Road, Cassopolis
Chapel Hill Church
14525 Chapel Hill St., Union
Libraries and Public Facilities
Residents may also find relief at local public libraries and community facilities throughout Cass County, including branches of the Cass District Library system during regular operating hours.
Regional Resource
The Salvation Army Niles Corps
1707 Miller Drive, Niles
The Salvation Army’s Niles location serves residents in southeast Berrien County and Cass County and provides a cool environment during business hours on days of extreme heat.
Heat Safety Tips
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends:
- Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest hours of the day.
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
- Never leave children, older adults or pets in a parked vehicle.
- Check on neighbors, relatives and others who may be vulnerable to heat-related illness.
- Seek air-conditioned spaces if temperatures become dangerous.
Residents seeking additional assistance can call 211 for local resource referrals.
Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
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