Lincoln County Summer Cooling Centers

News Release Date
06-08-2026
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Lincoln County Health Department (LCHD) is pleased to share a list of locally designated cooling centers for the summer months. Cooling centers welcome the public to get relief from the heat during their business hours. Please note: hours may vary and locations may not be open during extreme weather events. 

LCHD would like to thank the following businesses and organizations for volunteering to be cooling centers this summer.

Gleason Bowling Center

  • N5353 State Hwy 17, Gleason, (715) 873-4588
  • Monday, 11am – close, Tuesday, closed, Wednesday – Saturday, 11am – close, Sunday, 11am – 9 pm

Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes 

  • 1208 N. Center Avenue, Merrill, (715) 536-9405
  • Monday – Thursday, 11am – 9 pm,  Friday, 11am – 11pm, Saturday, 3 – 11pm, Sunday, closed

Lincoln County Service Center

  • 801 N. Sales Street, Merrill, (715) 539-1019
  • Monday – Friday, 8am – 4:30pm

MAC Home Warming Center

  • 407 W. Main Street, Merrill, (715) 722-1200
  • Monday – Sunday, 8am – 9pm (standard screening done upon entry)

Merrill Enrichment Center

  • 303 N. Sales Street, Merrill, (715) 536-4226
  • Monday – Thursday, 8am – 4:15pm

Our Sisters’ House

  • 328 East Washington Avenue, Tomahawk, (715) 224-3520
  • Monday – Sunday, 6am –10pm 

Riverside Athletic Club

  • 500 S. Center Avenue, Merrill, (715) 536-2481
  • Monday – Thursday, 6am – 8pm

Smith Multi-Purpose Center (MARC)

  • 1100 Marc Drive, Merrill, (715) 536-7313
  • Monday – Friday, 7:30am – 4pm

Strikers Tomahawk Bowl

  • 309 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Tomahawk, (715) 453-3245
  • Monday & Tuesday, closed, Wednesday – Sunday, noon – 11pm  

T.B. Scott Free Library 

  • 106 W. First Street, Merrill, (715) 536-7191
  • Monday – Thursday, 10am – 7pm, Friday, 10am – 5pm, Saturday, 10am – 1pm

Tomahawk City Hall

  • 23 N. 2nd Street, Tomahawk, (715) 453-4040
  • Monday – Friday, 8am – 12pm, 1 – 5pm

Tomahawk Public Library

  • 300 W. Lincoln Avenue, Tomahawk, (715) 453-2455
  • Monday – Thursday, 10am – 7pm, Friday, 10am – 5 pm, Saturday, 10am – 1pm

Tomahawk Senior Center

  • 113 S. Tomahawk Avenue, Tomahawk, (715) 453-5757
  • Monday – Friday, 9am – 3pm 

Wal-Mart

  • 505 S. Pine Ridge Avenue, Merrill, (715) 536-2414
  • Monday – Sunday, 6am – 11 pm

See the Lincoln County Cooling Center flyer here. 

Stay safe by following these tips. While many of us look forward to the warmer temperatures, it’s important to remember that extreme heat can be dangerous, especially for infants and children, older adults and people with certain medical conditions. 

  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
  • Limit time outdoors midday, when temperatures are hottest.
  • Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down.
  • If you don’t have air conditioning, keep shades drawn and blinds closed.
  • Keep lights off or turned down.
  • Limit the use of a stove.
  • Wear lightweight, loose, breathable, light-colored clothing.
  • Take cool baths and showers.
  • Don’t leave anyone, including pets, in a parked car – even for a few minutes.
  • Check on family, friends, and neighbors during extreme heat. 

If your business or organization is interested in being a designated cooling center, contact Kristin Bath, Public Health Prevention and Education Specialist, for Lincoln County Health Department at 715-536-0307 or by email

Last Updated: 6/8/2026