Last summer we wrote about the current climate emergency; things aren’t getting any better. Extreme heat and humidity have become the norm for summers in Central Illinois. These conditions are oppressive, uncomfortable, and dangerous. This week, we want to provide some helpful resources for addressing the heat, as well as some suggestions for ways to spend your time safely and comfortably.
Here are the official cooling centers in Champaign-Urbana, per the City of Champaign website:
- Department of Human Services, 206 W. Anthony Drive, Champaign
- Social Security Administration, 101 S. Country Fair Drive, Champaign
- Champaign County Public Health District, 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign
- Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green St., Champaign
- Urbana Free Library, 210 W. Green St., Urbana
- Market Place Mall, 2000 N. Neil St., Champaign
- Lincoln Square Mall, 201 Lincoln Square, Urbana
- Hospital Emergency Rooms
- Convenient Care Offices
All municipal buildings are designated cooling centers. Places like grocery stores, especially larger ones with a cafe like Harvest Market, offer a place to sit and rest with a cold beverage. All MTD buses are air-conditioned. Though we’ve been dealing with these high temps for a little while now, it takes your body time to acclimate to the conditions, so go slowly with activities. Know the signs of heat illnesses, and seek medical attention if you suspect you or someone you’re with is symptomatic. Do note that some medications can make you more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. And, it’s worth repeating: Do not leave children or animals in hot cars. Here’s a brief article on identifying heatstroke in pets, and some suggestions for keeping your pets cool.
The most obvious activity for beating summer heat is swimming. In Champaign, the Champaign Park District’s Sholem Aquatic Center is open noon to 7 p.m. during the week, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. You can attend open lap swim or walk the lazy river in the mornings, before the pool fully opens to the public. Urbana Park District’s Crystal Lake Park Family Aquatic Center is open 12:30 to 7 p.m. during the week and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends (there are lap swim hours in the mornings, Monday through Friday). The Stephens Family YMCA has an indoor pool; learn more about day passes on their website. All of these pools have an entry fee. At the park district pools, we’d not only love to see more adults-only swim times, but also free days when those without the means to buy a pool pass or entries for their families can take advantage of these partially tax-funded resources, too (especially on very hot days).
For free, air-conditioned entertainment, consider our libraries. It costs zero dollars to visit, and books, DVDs, and games are available to check out. In Champaign you can make an appointment with a librarian to learn about all the things The Studio has to offer (including sewing machines, recording booths, and laser cutters). Refer to Champaign and Urbana’s calendars for additional programming. Krannert Art Museum and Spurlock Museum also offer free, air-conditioned edutainment. While Champaign no longer has a children’s museum, Normal has one that is quite nice.
If you’re up for flexing your brain, C-U Adventures in Time and Space has a bunch of escape rooms. They’re open most days, with availability in the afternoons and evenings. If you’re less interested in solving complicated puzzles, we’re fans of indoor blacklight mini golf at Arrowhead Lanes, or making the drive to McLean to play a bunch of arcade games at Arcadia. Grabbing pizza while you bowl at Old Orchard is a good pastime; you all voted the pizza the best food item in C-U this year. Even though it’s for sale, Skateland is still open, Wednesday through Saturday.
While it’s simultaneously an exercise in creativity and patience when finding ways to entertain yourself and your family in extreme heat, it can be deadly to people and pets. Be smart about outdoor activities, stay hydrated, keep cold, fresh water out for your pets, and check in on your friends, family, and neighbors, especially those who are most vulnerable. How do you beat the heat in C-U? Let us know your favorite activities.
The Editorial Board is Jessica Hammie, Julie McClure, Patrick Singer, and Mara Thacker.