COOLtainer Box Shelter Sustains Damage on Journey to Ajo

The establishment of a cooling center in Ajo using a modified cargo container will face a week’s delay due to damaged solar panels, according to Pima County officials.

Previously scheduled for Thursday, the “COOLtainer” was set to arrive in Ajo as part of a concerted effort to repurpose former Gov. Doug Ducey’s border barrier. This initiative, led by Pima County and state officials, aims to help residents cope with high desert temperatures. Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher announced that the cooling center would be created from the modified cargo container.

Pima County Supervisor Sylvia Lee highlighted the necessity of these new cooling resources, especially given the frequent electrical outages during the monsoon season. Lee emphasized the challenges in providing resources to the rural communities within her expansive District 3, stating, “We are thrilled that cooling services will be provided seven days a week.”

Provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services, the container was intended to serve as a weekend shelter in Ajo when the local library is closed. Two similar units were sent to Tucson in late June to act as cooling centers, and 16 others have been deployed across Arizona. The current delay stems from a torn solar panel that requires repairs, but officials anticipate the unit will be operational by July 27.

Each “COOLtainer” is an ADA-accessible shelter, powered by solar panels and equipped with air-conditioning. These containers were initially purchased to construct makeshift barriers along Arizona’s border with Mexico under Ducey’s administration. A federal lawsuit led to their removal, costing the state $95 million. Gov. Katie Hobbs has since overseen the sale of about 447 containers, with approximately 1,700 still remaining.

The new COOLtainer will be situated next to the county pool at E.S. “Bud” Walker Park, located at 290 W. 5th St. Pima County Health Department personnel will staff the facility, which will be open to anyone needing relief from the heat. “Sometimes, just a couple of hours in a cool place is all that’s needed to prevent heat injury,” said Pima County Health Department Director Dr. Theresa Cullen.

The container will also accommodate pets, who are not allowed at the library during the week. The COOLtainer will include kennels to keep pets cool, addressing the persistent high heat that poses a health threat to animals. Pima Animal Care Center Director Monica Dangler mentioned that efforts are underway to provide more resources for pets, especially during power outages.

Additionally, a generator is being installed at the Walker Park Community Center to enable it to function as a cooling site during emergencies. Earlier this month, a prolonged power outage forced the library to close. With the new generator, the community center can serve as a shelter during such outages. The facility’s electrical system is being retrofitted to support this function, with completion expected within the next week.

The county has also extended the hours at the Salazar-Ajo Public Library, eliminating an hour-long afternoon closure. The library will now operate from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The cargo container will provide shelter on weekends when the library is closed, operating Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

These new resources in Ajo will also be available to residents in nearby western Pima County communities, including Why and Lukeville, as well as those in the far-western Tohono O’odham Nation. Looking ahead, the Curley School gym is slated for renovation to become a permanent heat respite center and emergency shelter.

State and county health officials have recently intensified public awareness campaigns addressing heat injury and illness amid a warming climate. With rising temperatures that onset earlier, persist longer, and offer little nocturnal relief, Dr. Cullen stressed the life-saving importance of accessible cooling centers.

“For those with limited financial means, broken air conditioning, or no permanent housing, the opportunity to cool down can be a matter of life or death,” Cullen concluded.