FARMINGTON — A new summer Cooling Center opened Wednesday at Living Waters Assembly church on Wilton Road. 

The center is based on the winter Warming Centers held in churches around the Farmington-Wilton area January through March where participants gather for fellowship and refreshments while turning down their thermostats at home.

Games, puzzles, conversation followed by a potluck meal were on the agenda as people gathered Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church.

The center will be open each Wednesday during those hours through June, July and August, Stephen Bracy, church pastor said.

It’s an opportunity for people to come in from the heat, enjoy the fellowship of others and a good meal of casseroles and salads. People who come bring a dish for the potluck meal, he said.

Several from the winter centers had found their way to the summer venue in the cool church basement.

While temperatures were hardly sizzling outside Wednesday, participants still gathered around tables for cribbage and board games while upstairs some made use of the church’s pool tables, he said.

The church moved from Strong to the Wilton Road in March 2011. Since then, it has been fabulous, he said.

Attendance has tripled over the Strong numbers, at least when everyone’s there. The numbers have doubled on a consistent basis, he said of the 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service.

The church also has opened the doors to the community providing a free luncheon on the third Wednesday of the month and allowing groups like Weight Watchers and a pastor’s group to use the facility, he said. The Wednesday luncheon this summer will be part of the Cooling Center.

The Cooling Center is open to everyone. For more information, call 778-6190.

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