The Conroe City Council gave its support to partner with Sacred Heart Catholic Church to open a cooling center as temperatures continue to hover around 100 degrees.
Nancy Mikeska, assistant city administrator and director of community development, said the details are not final but the initial plan is to have the Parish Life Center at the church open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
“Our responsibility would be some water and possible security,” Mikeska said.
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Church officials were working on the plan Friday but were unavailable for comment.
During the city’s workshop meeting Wednesday, Mayor Jody Czajkoski said Councilman Harry Hardman had spearheaded the effort.
“We appreciate the forward-thinking,” Czajkoski said.
Hardman said the center is critical for the safety of the community.
“The next couple of weeks are supposed to be really bad,” Hardman said. “A lot of people on the east side and some seniors don’t even have air conditioning. Just having a place to go that is safe and cool will allow them to get through the hottest part of the day.”
Conroe’s plan comes on the heels of Houston activating a heat emergency plan Wednesday, where city leaders intended to provide extra resources for residents, especially those without air conditioning, to take relief from the extreme heat, according to a statement from the Houston Health Department.
Over the next few days, high temperatures are forecast to be anywhere from 97 or 98 along the coast to 100 or higher inland, said Houston Chronicle Newsroom Meteorologist Justin Ballard.
Heat index values have often been between 110 and 115 degrees. This is dangerous heat for anyone, but especially the elderly, the young and, with the Saharan dust, those with respiratory issues.
Unfortunately, the expansive dome of heat causing soaring temperatures locally will persist into next week.
