(CBS DETROIT) – The Detroit Health Department has opened 10 cooling centers throughout the city where residents can escape the heat High temperatures are expected this week.
The effort is in partnership with Detroit Recreation Centers and the Detroit Public Library.
City officials said they hope residents will take advantage of the buildings to cool off and stay hydrated.
“We do have a few televisions,” said Ricardo Maple, Detroit’s deputy director of recreation. “You’re welcome to come in and relax a little bit and watch a little TV. We’ll have water ready for anyone who’s a little thirsty. But for the most part, we’re just providing a safe place to come and beat the heat.”
Health officials said certain populations are more vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat.
“The heat can be very dangerous for special populations because it can worsen underlying problems such as asthma or heart disease, as well as dehydration,” said Christina Floyd, deputy director of public health for the Detroit Health Department.
These are the locations and opening hours this week:
• Adams Butzel Complex, 10500 Lyndon (M-F, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Saturdays)
• Butzel Family Center, 7737 Kercheval Avenue (M-F, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
• Clemente Recreation Center, 2631 Bagley (M-F, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.)
• Farwell Recreation Center, 2711 E. Outer Dr. (M-F, 8am – 7pm; closed Saturday)
• Lasky Recreation Center, 13200 Fenelon (M-F, noon-8 p.m.; closed Saturdays)
• Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers (M-F, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.)
• Patton Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere (M-F, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Saturday)
• Kemeny Recreation Center, 2260 S. Fort (M-F, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Saturdays)
• Crowell Recreation Center, 16630 Lahser (M-F, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Saturdays)
Heilmann Recreation Center, 19601 Crusade (M-F, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; closed Saturdays)
In addition, the Adams Butzel and Patton Recreation Centers will be open on Wednesday, June 19, during the Juneteenth holiday.
“The cooling centers are located throughout the city of Detroit, so whether you are north, south, east or west, you can locate a particular facility,” Floyd said. “There are ten in the city that are open, and they are not only open; they are staffed for the time they are open. Not only can people be sheltered from the heat, but they can also be hydrated.”
“We’re in the community for a reason,” Marble said. “We’re directly involved in our communities because we want to make sure we’re there to provide a service. Whether it’s making sure you can get warm when it’s really cold or get cool when it’s really hot, the recreation centers are here in the community to make sure we’re providing services that everyone needs.”
