Splashing in the Dyess Park Pool gave Oran Wright a much needed break from the heat Wednesday afternoon.
The Collins Elementary School seventh-grader and other Sport and Play campers played football and basketball part of the day, but spent the afternoon cooling off in the pool.
"It just makes us feel better after sweating in the heat," he said before taking another dip.
Dyess Park is one of several cooling centers in Richmond and Columbia counties this summer. Individuals can enter during business hours for cold water, restrooms and air conditioning.
June has not been unusually hot so far, said Dan Miller, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in West Columbia, S.C. July and August are usually the hottest months of the year.
"Even though the heat is just beginning, we advise people to be cautious, stay hydrated and try to stay out of the heat," Mr. Miller said.
With temperatures already in the mid-90s, the basic needs are important for people who spend much of their day outside, said May Park Community Center manager Ouida Pippins.
"They may be walking or waiting on buses, so it's good to have our doors open to them," she said.
Eddie Brown, Sport and Play camp director, said the centers also help people who might not otherwise have a cool place to go during the day.
"Some people just walking on the street every day can benefit from having a cool drink of water or be in the air," he said. "The pools are real affordable for families, too."
Reach Stephanie Toone at (706) 823-3215 or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.
HOW HOT DOES IT FEEL?
Heat index is sometimes referred to as the apparent temperature, a measure of how hot it feels. The temperature and the relative humidity are added to come up with the heat index. The more humid it is, the hotter it is. Wednesday's highest heat index was 96 degrees. The National Weather Service in West Columbia, S.C., advises residents to use caution and avoid prolonged exposure to heat when the index is that high.
IF YOU GO
Richmond County
Carrie J. Mays Center, 1014 11th Ave., (706) 821-2827, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
Bernie Ward Center, 1941 Lumpkin Road, (706)790-0588, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday
Blythe Center, 3129 Georgia Highway 88, Blythe, (706) 592-4988, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
Dyess Park, 902 James Brown Blvd.: (706) 821-2877, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
Henry H. Brigham Center, 2463 Golden Camp Road, (706) 771-2654, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday
May Park, 622 Fourth St., (706) 724-0504, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday
McBean Center, 1155 Hephzibah-McBean Road, Hephzibah, (706) 560-2628, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday
Sand Hills Center, 2540 Wheeler Road, (706) 842-1912, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday
W. T. Johnson Center, 1610 Hunter St., (706) 821-2866, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday
Warren Road Center, 300 Warren Road, (706) 860-2833, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday;
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday
Columbia County
Bessie Thomas Community Center, 5913 Euchee Creek Drive, Grovetown, (706) 556-0308, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday
Patriots Park, 5445 Columbia Road, Grovetown, (706) 863-7523, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sunday
Wesley United Methodist Church, 825 N. Belair Road, Evans, (706) 869-0888, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday
Eubank Blanchard Community Center, 6868 Cobbham Road, Appling, (706) 309-9451, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday
Laurel & Hardy Museum, 250 N. Louisville St., Harlem; (706) 556-004, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
Liberty Park Community Center, Newmantown Road, Grovetown, (706) 863-4576, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
Back 
