Summer is officially here and so is the heat. With temperatures in the upper 90s and at times triple digits common in this region during the summer, many people may be looking for places to stay cool. There are a few official ‘Cooling Zone’ locations in the City of Riverbank that are available to the community.

The Cooling Zones are a place where people can get out of the heat for a period of time allowing the body to cool down. They are not cooling centers or cooling shelters.

For those that need a brief respite when the temperatures climb, there are different options available.

Riverbank City Council Chambers, 6707 Third St., open from Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with alternating Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 209-863-7122.

The Riverbank Library at 3442 Santa Fe is open on Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. and closed on Sundays. Call 209-869-7008 for more information.

A dip in the pool may be what some folks are looking for to help cool off as well; however, there is an entry fee of $2 at the Riverbank Community Pool on the corner of Seventh Street and Stanislaus Street on Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

The Riverbank Community Center, 3600 Santa Fe St., offers Senior Meals and activities and is a cooling zone on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Friday from 10 a.m. to noon. Call the City of Riverbank’s Parks and Recreation Department at 209-863-7150 for more information.

From June through August, the Riverbank Teen Center, 3600 Santa Fe St. #A, is open for ages 11 to 18 Monday through Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 209-863-7026.