Local mayors share how to beat the heat as pools remain closed

SPRINGFIELD/AGAWAM, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - We likely have our first heat wave of the season headed our way next week. That means that residents across the region will be flocking to public pools, splash pads, and cooling centers, but not all of them are open just yet. With the consistent rain finally taking a break, we spoke to multiple families off-camera who were looking forward to taking a dip on Friday, only to be faced with disappointment

So, we took their questions to Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno to find out if any of those public pools will be opened in time for Monday’s heat wave, and because of staffing concerns, it’s looking like they are sticking to the July 1st opening date.

“With pools, it’s always difficult when the heat wave comes early, because we have to make sure they’re all properly staffed up,” Sarno explained. “If we can do it earlier, we’ll do it earlier because they have to be properly prepped, and also have the proper man and woman power there for lifeguards.”

Luckily, the city already has twenty splash pads open for the summer, with the exception of Magazine Park and Myrtle Street Park which are closed for construction. Those splash pads are of course free and open every day of the week.

If pools and splash pads aren’t quite your style– don’t worry! Springfield plans to open eight different cooling center locations Monday through Wednesday next week to provide relief from those scorching temps.

Those centers are located strategically throughout the city, all opening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – except for the Forest Park Library which will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The full list of splash pads can be found below:

Adams Park Marshall Roy Park

Burrows Park Mary Troy Park

Blunt Park Nathan Bill Park

Calhoun Park Pynchon Park

Emerson Wight Park Rebecca Johnson Park

Emily Bill Park Riverfront Park

Forest Park Ruth Elizabeth Park

Hubbard Park Van Horn Park

Jaime Ulloa Park Walsh Park

Kenefick Park Nahorniak Park

Cooling center locations are:

Indian Orchard Community Center at Myrtle Street Park

South End Community Center

Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center

Senior Center in the North End at Kenefick Park

Mason Square Library Community Room

Hungry Hill Senior Center

Clodo Concepcion Community Center

Forest Park Library

Mayor Sarno shared that because of the impending heat, trash collection in Springfield will begin starting at 5 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, so make sure that your garbage and recycling bin are at the curb no later than that time.

Agawam

Over in Agawam, as temperatures rise and traffic heads toward Six Flags, Mayor Christopher Johnson told us he had good news and bad news.

First off, the good news -- the splash pad at School Street Park is officially open to the public. It originally was scheduled to open on Monday, but seeing the warmer temps expected this weekend, the city pushed up the date.

The State’s Pool on Maynard Street is also scheduled to open on Saturday, for anyone looking to swim a little deeper than a splash pad.

As for the pool at Perry Lane Park, you’ll have to wait just a little longer to head over to that location, and Mayor Johnson explained why:

“If it wasn’t the subject of a rehab project, we would’ve tried to get that open today as well, but its gonna be finished hopefully middle to end of next week. 

The mayor also said that the library and the senior centers will be open for public use if anyone needs to cool down. He also pointed out that a major water park will be expecting a lot of visitors this weekend, as after dozens of rainy weekends in a row, the theme park will be getting some much needed guests with school out for the summer.

So if you are in or around Agawam this weekend and early next week, Mayor Johnson is advising that you avoid the Six Flags side of Main Street unless you’re planning on visiting.