Shreveport Cooling Centers Open Free To Residents During Heat Advisory

Shreveport residents looking for a break from dangerous summer heat have several free options across the city and Caddo Parish. The National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory for Shreveport and Bossier City on Tuesday, July 21, with afternoon heat index values expected to reach as high as 110 degrees.

The City of Shreveport and Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation have opened five recreation centers where residents can sit in air conditioning, drink complimentary water and recover from the heat.

Five SPAR Locations Offering Heat Relief

The primary SPAR cooling centers are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The centers are closed on Sundays.

Residents can visit the following locations:

Valencia Recreation Center, 1800 Viking Drive

David Raines Recreation Center, 2920 Round Grove Lane

Bilberry Recreation Center, 1902 Alabama Street

Airport Park Recreation Center, 6500 Kennedy Drive

Bill Cockrell Recreation Center, 4109 Pines Road

Each location has a designated cooling area with chairs and water. Visitors do not need to participate in a recreation program to use the cooling space.

“Periods of extreme heat can pose serious health risks,” Mayor Tom Arceneaux said when the centers were announced. City officials said seniors, young children and people with underlying medical conditions can face some of the greatest danger when temperatures climb.

Shreve Memorial Library Branches Also Available

Shreve Memorial Library is offering another option for people who need air conditioning. Library branches across Caddo Parish are serving as cooling centers through September 4, providing free drinking water, seating and access to regular library services.

Most full-time branches are open Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., though the Downtown Main Branch follows a different schedule. Broadmoor, Hamilton/South Caddo and North Caddo are also open Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Hours at smaller branches vary, so residents should check the Shreve Memorial Library branch guide before leaving home.

Take Heat Symptoms Seriously

Residents are encouraged to drink water frequently, avoid strenuous outdoor work during the hottest afternoon hours and check on neighbors who may not have dependable air conditioning.

Confusion, fainting, nausea, dizziness, a rapid pulse or a very high body temperature can signal a serious heat-related illness. Anyone showing signs of heat stroke needs immediate medical attention.