LIST: Beat the heat with these cooling stations in the Richmond region

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Looking to brave the summer heat? Need some relief, get some rest and grab a sip of cold water?

With Friday marking the first day of summer and Sunday signaling the start of a prolonged heatwave, those in need of walk-up cooling stations can find several throughout the Richmond region.

Starting Sunday, June 22, the Richmond region will experience a heatwave, with temperatures expected to hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit with a heat index of nearly 115, according to StormTracker8 Chief Meteorologist Matt DiNardo.

How to prepare for the upcoming heat wave

With rising temperatures into the upper 90 degrees, heat index values will rise to 102 or higher degrees as the humidity levels will increase even more, beginning Sunday for the next two weeks. Our StormTracker8 team says that this heat could last until the Fourth of July.

For a more detailed, up-to-date forecast, check out our StormTracker8 daily forecast here.

Several locations throughout the City of Richmond will operate as cooling stations during the summer months, especially during this extensive heatwave.

The following community pools in the city will be open:

• Battery Park Pool
  • 2719 Dupont Circle
  • Noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
• Blackwell Pool
  • 238 E. 14th Street
  • Noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
• Fairmont Pool
  • 2000 U Street
  • Noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
• Hotchkiss Field Pool
  • 1000 Apperson Street
  • Noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
• Powhatan Pool
  • Grayland Avenue
  • Noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
• Randolph Pool
  • 1507 Grayland Avenue
  • Noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
• Woodville Pool
  • 2305 Fairfield Avenue
  • Noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays

How to stay safe during a heat wave

Public libraries will serve as cooling stations. Their locations include:

• Main Library
  • 101 E. Franklin Street
• Belmont Library
  • 3100 Ellwood Avenue
• Broad Rock Library
  • 4820 Old Warwick Road
• East End Library
  • 1200 N. 25th Street
• Ginter Park Library
  • 1200 W. Brook Avenue
• Hull Street Library
  • 1400 Hull Street
• North Avenue Library
  • 2901 North Avenue
• West End Library
  • 5420 Patterson Avenue
• Westover Hills Library
  • 1408 Westover Hills Boulevard
• Burrowsville Library
  • 18701 James River Drive
  • 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays
  • The library is closed Fridays and Sundays.
• Disputanta Library
  • 10010 County Drive
  • 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 3 to 6 p.m. Fridays
  • The library is closed Saturdays and Sundays.
• Carson Depot Library
  • 16101 Halligan Park Road
  • 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays
  • The library is closed Sundays.
• Prince George County Library
  • 6605 Courts Drive
  • 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
  • The library is closed Sundays.
• Central Virginia Regional Library/Farmville-Prince Edward Library
  • 1303 W. 3rd Street
  • Open for normal business hours, which can be found here.
• Southside Virginia Family YMCA
  • 580 Commerce Road
  • Open for normal business hours, which can be found here.

Richmond cooling centers, libraries, and pools available during heatwave

The Salvation Army Central Virginia Inclement Weather Shelter at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue will open and operate as a cooling center, as temperatures reach record highs. The entrance will be located in the side alley area and will offer air-conditioned space to rest and cool down, cold water, light refreshments and dinner, seating and shade and more.

The follow are the cooling centers' hours over the next several days:

• 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on on Sunday, June 22
• 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, June 23
• 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24
• 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25

Its hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or until temperatures cool to under 92 degrees. The shelter will stay open overnight in the event that the temperature remains 92 degrees or higher at 9 p.m., according to the city.

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The city-operated buildings that will operate as cooling stations include:

• Petersburg Transit Station
  • 100 West Washington Street
  • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays
• Goochland Sports Complex
  • 1800 Sandy Hook Road
  •  Open most days, hours here.
• Marshall Plaza
  • 900 E. Marshall Street
  • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays
• Southside Plaza
  • 4100 Hull Street Road
  • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays

With heat-related concerns that do not involve 911 emergencies, Goochland County said you can contact Goochland County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) number, 804-556-5678, for assistance.