LAFAYETTE — LAFAYETTE, La. — With the heat continuing to rise across Acadiana, the Lafayette Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) has activated a network of cooling centers to help residents stay safe during extreme heat conditions beginning Monday, July 20, 2026, through Friday, July 24, 2026.
OHSEP Director, Chad Sonnier, said, "It gives people that…doesn’t have anywhere to go, a place to come, seek refuge from the heat, as well as have some water so they do not dehydrate.”
For those who exercise near the parks, the fans and extra water are coming in handy.
“I already work outside,” said Blue Theriot, who exercises in the park. "I do pool work, and doing that already, and then coming out here to exercise, it’s nice to have some place to sit around once I’m done and chill out before I ride all the way back home,” he added.
Sonnier said the city buses are available to bring residents to cooling centers.
"When you get on the bus, let the driver know that you’re going to a cooling center, and there’s no charge for the ride," he said.
Active Cooling Center Locations
Girard Park Pavilion
500 Girard Park Dr., Lafayette
- Cooling center hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
- Fans and water available under the pavilion.
- Note: Pavilion remains open to the public at all times; however, the fan and water will only be available when the cooling center is activated.
Dupuis Recreation Center
1212 E. Pont Des Mouton Rd., Lafayette
- Cooling center hours: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
- Fans and water available at the covered building entryway.
- Note: Facility grounds remain open to the public.
Heymann Recreation Center Pavilion
1500 S. Orange St., Lafayette
- Cooling center hours: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
- Fans and water available under the pavilion.
- Note: Pavilion remains open to the public at all times; however, the fan and water will only be available when the cooling center is activated.
Lafayette Parish Public Libraries
All Lafayette Parish Public Library branches open during normal business hours are available to residents seeking relief from the heat.
Oak Street Health Primary Care
2001 Moss St., Suite #1200, Lafayette
Indoor cooling available to adults 55+ from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Monday–Friday). Water available.
St. Joseph Diner
613 Simcoe St., Lafayette
Facility interior open daily from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with water available.
