By Sara Beth Williams–
With extreme, record-breaking heat and no school for students on Labor Day, families in Citrus Heights had limited options for local places to go and cool down over the weekend.
Labor Day weekend saw record-breaking temperatures, with Monday, Sept. 5, topping out at 114 in the Sacramento area. While Rush Pool is a local option to cool down in during the summer, the pool wasn’t an option over the weekend since the last day for public swim was Aug. 14.
Marty Buell, recreation and community services superintendent with Sunrise Recreation and Parks District, told The Sentinel in an email that closing in mid-August is typical for the Rusch Pool.
“There were many years when we did try to stay open longer at Rusch Pool in August, “Buell said. “We would have to close down early each day as we didn’t have enough patrons to keep it realistically open.”
Buell also noted that many of the lifeguard staff are high school and college students who all return to school in August.
Antelope Aquatics Complex, which is part of the Sunrise Recreation and Parks District, remained open during Labor Day weekend, but Buell said even with the hot weather over Labor Day weekend the complex was at half-capacity every day.
Splash pads or spray parks are another popular place for families to cool down when temperatures rise into the triple digits. While there are plenty of splash pads elsewhere in the county, none are currently available within Citrus Heights city limits.
Asked about any plans to bring splash pads to Citrus Heights, Buell said he believes such pads are “an excellent park amenity,” but noted factors like cost need to be taken into consideration when considering constructing splash pads in local parks.
Other local options that don’t involve water are available to residents who want to beat the heat during extreme weather, including Sunrise Rollerland, the Sunrise Mall, Fireside Lanes, and Sylvan Oaks Library.
Californians are being asked to conserve energy in the afternoons due to the extreme heat. During extreme heat events, the CDC recommends the following:
- Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
- Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.
- Limit use of the stove and oven—it will make you and your house hotter.
- Limit your outdoor activity, especially midday when the sun is hottest
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Want to share your thoughts on splash pads or local cool down spots? Submit a letter to the editor for publication.
