With the National Weather Service issuing an Excessive Heat Warning for the Twin Cities effective until 7 p.m., Friday, St. Paul has announced it is expanding hours at recreation centers, aquatic centers and libraries to help city residents find a safe place to beat the heat.

On Wednesday, the city announced:

All St. Paul recreation centers will be open by 10 a.m. and stay open until at least 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Several centers will extend operating hours until 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Drinking fountains or water coolers will be provided at all centers and sprinklers will be used for cooling at centers without air conditioning. Recreation center programming will be monitored and adjusted or canceled as needed. Participants will be notified by recreation center staff if cancellations or modifications are necessary.

Arlington Hills, Rice Street, and Rondo Libraries will remain open until 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday to provide air conditioned shelter from extreme heat. All other St. Paul public libraries will be open normal business hours.

Como Regional Park Pool and Highland Park Aquatic Center are open for regular open swim hours (noon- 8 p.m) and Conway and Lewis Park splash pad hours have been extended to 9 p.m.

Additional updates will be provided on the City of Saint Paul website and social channels.