Tucson cooling centers to open early

Luna said planning begins in the winter for the following summer to identify locations for:

Cooling centers: Indoor locations that provide refuge from the heat during the day with drinking fountains or bottled water available.

Respite centers: Offering a place to rehydrate and rest without interruption.

Hydration centers: indoor and outdoor centers offering water bottles and a clean refill station. There’s no guarantee that there will be space to sit or rest for extended periods of time.

Library Cooling Spaces: During regular library hours, it’s a space where visitors can get out of the heat and use library services.

Efforts this year also include specialized “Cooltainers,” air-conditioned, converted shipping containers that offer water, snacks and device charging. The containers, which have windows, screens and solar power, are cooled at 66 to 68 degrees and are set up in heat relief locations around the city.

There are two types of Cooltainers — a sleeping container that can accommodate 10 people; a respite space where people can charge their phones, watch TV, eat snacks, play games and talk.

“Last year we had more than 4,000-plus duplicated visits from unsheltered folks,” Champion said. “The demand for Cooltainers shows us how helpful they can be and we’re hoping to receive two more.”

In 2024, the Cooltainers had only 714 visits when they were set up on Miracle Mile near the Frontier Motel. The Cooltainers were moved to the El Pueblo Community Center the following year, where visits nearly tripled. During the offseason, the Cooltainers are being used in STAR Village, the city-protected, safe outdoor sleeping space on Grant Road.