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Residents can cool off at Arlington Heights Rec Center this weekend
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown City officials opened the Arlington Heights Recreation Center to residents in need of a cool place to go Saturday as heat-index values in the mid- to upper 90 degrees were forecast for the Valley.
From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the air-conditioned recreation center at 903 Otis St. welcomed anyone trying to cool off to come in to sit, play games or visit until temperatures began to drop in the evening.
Bob Burke, city parks director, said the event stemmed from Mayor John A. McNally looking for a way to help residents without access to air conditioning during the heat wave.
“I just offered to do it here,” he said. “Anytime there is some way, we like to give back to the public.”
Those enjoying the center could grab complimentary bottles of water donated by the Mahoning County Health Department on their way home.
Burke said this is the first time the center has done something like this in his four years as parks director.
However, he ran a similar program previously when he worked in Newton Falls.
“It’s a citywide effort,” Burke said. “I just wish we had more buildings to do this with – to offer to people.”
He said he admired McNally’s push to have somewhere for people to go in this extreme heat.
“The mayor is the backbone of the city, and it’s his wish for the people of Youngstown to be safe,” Burke said. “As for the rest of us city employees, we are simply here to serve the public.”
The center will also be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today for the same purpose.