Where to find warming centers during holiday weekend

On Dec 22, 2022

OHIO — With the season’s first major storm bearing down on Ohio, cities across the state are opening warming stations to keep vulnerable residents safe.

Services vary from city to city, but recreation centers, libraries and churches are commonly used to serve as warming stations during the day.

Cincinnati

In Cincinnati, all of the city’s 23 recreation centers will be open for their normal holiday hours on Friday. Most of the recreation centers will also have regular holiday hours on Saturday, but the following six will be closed: Bush Recreation Center, Dunham Recreation Center, Hartwell Recreation Center, North Avondale Recreation Center, Sayler Park Recreation Center, Westwood Town Hall Recreation Center.

Over the weekend, two centers will function as emergency warming shelters:

Corryville Recreation Center, 2823 Eden Ave., open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center, 1715 Republic Str., open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday

Columbus

Several churches, along with all 23 Columbus Metropolitan Library branches and all 24 Columbus Recreation centers will be open as warming centers during regular holiday hours. Nearly all library branches are open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. ET on Saturday and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. Community centers are closed on Sunday.

While the library and recreation facilities are only open during the day, there are some 24/7 options as well:

United Methodist Church, 501 E. Broad St.
Summit on 16th United Methodist Church, 82 E. 16th Ave.
Church and Community Development for All People, 946 Parsons Ave. (Opens Jan. 2)

Cleveland

Likely to get the worst of the winter storm, Cleveland has multiple options open to residents seeking warmth. The city also encourages anyone to call 311 if they someone who appears to need shelter.

Here are the warming stations and hours for the holiday weekend:

Zelma George Neighborhood Resource & Recreation Center, 3155 Martin L. King Blvd. (11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri., 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., Sun. Mon.)
Michael Zone Neighborhood Resource & Recreation Center, 6301 Lorain Ave. (11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri., 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., Sun. Mon.)
Collinwood Neighborhood Resource & Recreation Center,16300 Lakeshore Blvd. (11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri., 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat.)
Sterling Neighborhood Resource & Recreation Center, 1380 E. 32nd St. (11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri., 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat.)

Dayton

There are two options available to Dayton residents looking to get in from the cold. Two shelters will be open 24/7 through the weekend, with women and families directed to 120 W. Apple Street and men to 1921 Gettysburg Avenue. In nearby Springfield, the Salvation Army shelter at 15 S. Plum Str. opens at 5 p.m. Thursday and stays open through at least Saturday morning.

Akron

The city of Akron will operate a warming center from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 23 through Monday, Dec. 26 at the Summit Lake Community Center at 380 W. Crosier St, the city said in a release.

All other community centers will be closed for the holiday weekend, the city said.

An emergency overnight shelter, offering food, shelter and clothing, will be open from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m., Friday, Dec. 23 through Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 111 E. Voris St.

For more details on Akron’s weather response, click here.