Excessive heat forces closure of Tice Creek Pool, Fitness Center

By Mike Wood

Staff writer

UPDATE: Wednesday, Sept. 7 (5 p.m.): The Fitness Center reopened Wednesday morning after closing Tuesday because of air conditioning problems amid the excessive heat. Director of Resident Services Jeff Matheson said the facility is still experiencing some issues with the air conditioning and is limiting aerobic classes and activities.

UPDATE: Tuesday, Sept. 6 (1:20 p.m.):  Tice Creek Fitness Center and Pool are closing for the day because of excessive heat. The temperature on the deck inside at the Tice pool facility has exceeded 115 degrees and is not healthy for residents or staff, Director of Resident Services Jeff Matheson said. The Fitness Center is closing because of air conditioning issues that have caused the facility to exceed the recommended temperature for safe workout conditions.

Thursday, Sept. 1: Residents should be careful this Labor Day weekend as a dangerous heat wave hits the Bay Area and much of the Western United States.

Rossmoor Public Safety Manager Tom Cashion urges residents to be indoors during peak hours of extremely hot days like what’s expected in this heat wave. He said to limit being outdoors to mornings, or later evenings, for errands, appointments or exercise. Those who are out should use GRF facilities as places to cool off. On extremely hot days, the Event Center and Gateway and Dollar clubhouses are open until 11 p.m.

If someone is having a heat-related emergency, they always should first call 911, then call Securitas at 1-925-939-0693. Securitas will send a dispatch officer and emergency medical technician (EMT) to the scene, Cashion said.

Rossmoor and other inland portions of the Bay Area are under a National Weather Service excessive heat warning through the holiday weekend. Updates for the Bay Area are at www.weather.gov/mtr

In Rossmoor, Friday’s Farmers’ Market remains on. For this coming Tuesday’s Night Market on the Plaza, residents will have access to the Fireside Room at Gateway. Residents can get their food and eat, socialize and listen to music indoors at Fireside, Director of Resident Services Jeff Matheson said.

The Tice Creek pools could be closed in the afternoons if it gets too hot inside the facility, Matheson said.

The English/Western horse show at Heather Farm Park planned for Sunday was postponed until Sunday, Sept. 18. Members of the Horse Enthusiasts Club of Rossmoor had planned to attend or volunteer at that event.

A Rossmoor Nixle alert regarding the area’s excessive heat warning went out Thursday morning, which included a link to heat-related tips by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC link is http://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.html

The heat wave prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency on Wednesday. The California Independent System Operator (Cal ISO) has issued a statewide Flex Alert from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, in hopes to lessen stress on the energy grid. Additional alerts could be issued through the weekend.

Under a Flex Alert, people are asked during those peak hours to set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, avoid using major appliances, turn off unnecessary lights, and avoid charging electric vehicles.

The Rossmoor EPO website at www.rossmoorepo.org has myriad instructions and resources for emergency situations, including a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff.

The city of Walnut Creek has closed all its open spaces through at least Monday, including Lime Ridge, Shell Ridge and Acalanes Ridge. This came after a recommendation from the Contra Costa Fire Protection District, said Betsy Burkhart, the city’s communications and outreach manager.

Tice gym at 2055 Tice Valley Blvd. will be open this weekend as a cooling center for seniors and at-risk individuals. Open hours are Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.; and on Labor Day (and subsequent hot weekdays) from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Persons with animals are welcome at the gym, provided the animal can safely remain in a pet carrier or kennel. Kennels are available for use at the gym on hot days if owners do not have one.

The downtown Walnut Creek Library and the Ygnacio Valley Library at 2611 Oak Grove Road also are open as cooling centers, though both will be closed Sunday and Labor Day.

The Heather Farm Community Center, at 301 N. San Carlos Drive, will be open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Labor Day.

Members of the city of Walnut Creek’s senior transportation program can get rides to a cooling center from 9 to 10 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. on hot days. For information, call 1-925-943-5852 or email cpcc@walnut-creek.org

The city of Concord will open a cooling center at the Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle.

Contra Costa County’s website has information on cooling centers and tips on staying safe during extreme heat. Click here.