A cooling center in Livonia is offering residents overnight hours to get out of the heat

LIVONIA, Mich. (WXYZ) - If you are still without power or your air conditioning is not working you may have been thinking about going to a hotel to sleep at night, but one city is offering their residents a different option and it is free.

The Livonia Community Recreation Center is allowing residents to sleep overnight at the facility during this extreme heat.  The center is the city’s designated cooling center.

 “We offer a place to get a little relief,” said Barb Gamber, the assistant manager.  She has been getting together the supplies and cots for anyone who needs it.

 “Just one of those things, we are fortunate we have power and we’re glad we can provide that service to our residents,” said Gamber.

They are setting up cots in the adult and senior lounge that has the comforts of home.

The center has also been a popular place for families to go during the day who either do not have power or are not getting the relief they need at home.

“It’s kind of boring just to sit in the house or go in the basement to cool off so this just makes sense to come here and cool off,” said Terry Barrett, a Livonia resident.

“I like to swim laps in the pool over there to cool off.  It’s a lot better than sitting at home watching TV,” said 14-year-old Emily Barrett.

The rec center’s pools and other amenities are open to both residents and non-residents for a fee.  The cooling center is free. 

To learn more call the center at: 734-466-2900 or visit their website: http://www.ci.livonia.mi.us/