LOCAL

Here's where to find cooling centers in Brown, Fond du Lac, Outagamie and Winnebago counties

Katy Macek
Oshkosh Northwestern

With above-normal temperatures expected through the work week, staying cool is going to be a priority for many in northeast Wisconsin communities. 

The National Weather Service in Green Bay has issued a heat advisory for areas west of Green Bay and the Fox Valley as heat indices are expected to hit up to 105 degrees by Tuesday night. Many counties and organizations offer free cooling centers for the public during the day.

Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are real dangers in hot weather. If you need help seeking relief from the heat, head to one of these locations. 

If no cooling shelter is listed, local health departments advise heading to any public space, including pools and beaches, shopping malls, libraries, senior centers and neighborhood centers. 

You can also search any Wisconsin zip code in 211 Wisconsin's directory of Extreme Heat Cooling Centers.

Brown County

The Brown County Library system's locations all serve as cooling shelters throughout the county, except the Denmark Branch, which is temporarily closed. Those are: 

  • Central Library, 515 Pine St., Green Bay: Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
  • Ashwaubenon Branch, 1060 Orlando Drive, Ashwaubenon: Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. 
  • East Branch, 2255 Main St., Green Bay: Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. 
  • Kress Family Branch, 330 N. Broadway, De Pere: Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. 
  • Pulaski Branch, 222 W. Pulaski St., Pulaski: Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
  • Southwest Branch, 974 9th St., Green Bay: Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 
  • Weyers-Hilliard Branch — Howard, 2680 Riverview Drive, Green Bay: Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. 
  • Wrightstown Branch, 615 Main St., Wrightstown: Open 2 to 7 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. 

Fond du Lac County 

Fond du Lac County Health Department has listed seven public cooling sites: 

  • Brandon Public Library, 116 E. Main St., Brandon: Open noon to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. 
  • Campbellsport Public Library, 220 N. Helena St., Campbellsport: Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday.
  • Fond du Lac Public Library, 32 Sheboygan St.: Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
  • Oakfield Public Library, 130 N. Main St., Oakfield: Open 1 to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. 
  • Ripon Public Library,120 Jefferson St., Ripon: Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
  • Spillman Public Library, 719 Wisconsin Ave., North Fond du Lac: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. 
  • Waupun Public Library, 123 S. Forest St., Waupun: Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 

Outagamie County 

Outagamie County identifies these public places as cooling sites: 

  • Fox River Mall, 4301 W. Wisconsin Ave., Appleton: Doors open at 9 a.m. daily. Business hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
  • Muehl Public Library, 436 N. Main St., Seymour: Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. 
  • Shiocton Public Library, W7740 Pine St., Shiocton: Open noon to 7 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and noon to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
  • Shiocton Village Hall, N5605 Highway 76, Shiocton: Open 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
  • Shiocton Fire Hall, W7746 Pine St., Shiocton: Hours vary; contact 920-986-3415 for information. 
  • James J. Siebers Memorial Library, 515 W. Kimberly Ave., Kimberly: Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
  • Gerald H. Van Hoof Memorial Library, 625 Grand Ave., Little Chute: Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Winnebago County 

The Winnebago County Health Department's website provides a list of cooling sites as well as tips for staying cool. Head to any of these sites, broken down by city: 

Menasha 

  • Menasha Public Library, 440 1st St.: Open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
  • Menasha Senior Center, 116 Main St.: Open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Thursday. 
  • Sabre Lanes, 1330 Midway Road: Open noon to midnight Tuesday to Sunday. 

Neenah 

  • Neenah Park and Rec Swimming Pool, 600 South Park Ave.: Open 1 to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 
  • City Hall, 211 Walnut St.: Open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to noon Friday.
  • Fox Valley Lanes, 934 Byrd Ave., Neenah: Open 4 to 10 p.m. Monday, 1 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
  • Theda Clark Regional Medical Center, 130 2nd St.: Open 24 hours. 

Omro

  • City Hall Basement, 205 S. Webster Ave.: Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
  • Omro Public Library, 405 E. Huron St.: Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. 

Oshkosh

  • Pollock Community Water Park, 1550 Taft Ave.: Open 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily. 
  • South Park Splash Pad, 1035 W. South Park Ave.: Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 
  • Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave.: Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
  • YMCA - 20th Ave Center, 3303 W. 20th Ave.: Open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. to noon Sunday.
  • YMCA Tennis Center, 640 E. Sunnyview Road: Open 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
  • Winnebago County Courthouse, 415 Jackson St: Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Winneconne

  • Winneconne Public Library, 31 S. 2nd St.: Open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday; and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
  • Town Hall, 6494 County Highway M: Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. 
  • Municipal Center, 30 S. 1st St.: Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
  • Piggly Wiggly, 910 E. Main St.: Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
  • Affinity Clinic, 916 E. Main St.: Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. 

Here are some additional heat safety tips from the National Weather Service: 

  • Drink water, even if you aren't thirsty
  • Don't leave kids or pets unattended in vehicles
  • Check on the elderly and ill neighbors and family 
  • If working or exercising outdoors, take frequent rest breaks in shade or air conditioning

Contact Katy Macek at kmacek@thenorthwestern.com or 920-426-6658. Follow her on Twitter @KatherineMacek.