With subfreezing weather ahead, Akron extends hours at four community centers
With frigid temperatures forecast through the end of the month, the city is extending hours from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. at four community centers to give those in need a place to stay warm.
In addition, the emergency overnight shelter at 111 E. Voris St. will be open through Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m.
According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, overnight lows Friday were expected to be in the low teens, rising to the 20s on Saturday. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 20s through until Sunday night, when overnight lows in the teens are expected again. Wind chill temperatures overnight are forecast in the single digits for much of the next week.
Akron has enacted extended hours through Sunday at four community centers — and then will keep those locations open longer once again from Tuesday through Jan. 29 — in four community centers to provide warming centers for residents in need.
The extended hours will not be in effect on Monday, when the high temperature for the afternoon and evening is forecast to be around 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
All other community centers will operate their normal business hours, which vary depending on the facility.
The community centers with extended hours are:
Lawton Street Community Center in West Akron (1225 Lawton St.).
Mason Park Community Center in Middlebury (700 E. Exchange St.).
Patterson Park Community Center in North Hill (800 Patterson Ave.).
Summit Lake Community Center in Summit Lake (380 W. Crosier St.).
To ensure health and safety, there will be COVID-19 precautions, including social distancing, mask requirements, referring visitors with symptoms to an EMT for off-site medical attention and regular sanitization.
The city will continue to monitor temperatures and will extend community center hours if necessary.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron extending hours at four community centers
