City of Dover Warming and Cooling Centers

Ways to cool off in Dover

Cooling centers

Residents looking to cool off can visit cooling centers during regular hours, including:

• McConnell Center cafeteria at 61 Locust St., open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Dover Public Library at 73 Locust St., open Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
• City Hall at 288 Central Ave., open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Dover Police Department lobby at 46 Chestnut St., open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Community Action Partnership of Strafford County's Day Center, located at Bradley Commons, 577 Central Ave., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Pools and splash pad 

The City of Dover operates two pools and a splash pad.

• Dover Indoor Pool at 9 Henry Law Ave., is open Monday through Friday until 1 p.m. Recreational swims are not available during the summer; however, there are opportunities for lap swims, hydro fitness and therapy swims. Find more information about the pool, schedule and costs here: https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/recreation/aquatics/.
• Jenny Thompson Outdoor Pool, at 140 Portland Ave., is open daily with scheduled times for lap swims and recreational swims on a first-come, first-served basis. Find more information about the pool, schedule and costs here: https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/recreation/jenny-thompson-pool/.
• Dover Adventure Playground splash pad at Henry Law Park is activated daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Hours may be reduced or eliminated if water conservation measures are required.

City facilities serve as warming and cooling centers

Several City of Dover facilities serve as warming centers during extreme cold weather and cooling centers during extreme hot weather.

Dover's warming and cooling centers include the McConnell Center, the Public Library and City Hall. These specific public buildings are accessible and welcome those seeking relief from the cold during regular business hours. 

Warming and cooling centers in Dover are also available and accessible anytime at the City's Police Station, located downtown on Chestnut Street, and the City's three fire stations. The Liberty North End Fire Station is located at 262 Sixth St. The Central Fire Station is located at 9-11 Broadway. The South End Fire Station is located at 25 Durham Road.

Need emergency assistance?

The City's Public Welfare Department is available to coordinate services for those who need and want emergency assistance, including shelter, food and medical care.

The Public Welfare Department offices at the McConnell Center are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and can be reached by phone at 603-516-6500. For after-hours emergency needs, the public welfare program remains accessible simply by calling 603-742-4646 or visiting the police or fire stations to request assistance. Police and fire personnel are trained emergency responders and will notify and coordinate with the City's public welfare providers, day or night, getting assistance to those who truly want help. This assistance can include finding available shelter space, day or night, along with transportation, if needed.