Huron Youth Center opens as cooling center during Thumb heat warning

The Huron Youth Center in Elkton will open as a cooling center from June 30 through July 2 as dangerous heat settles over Michigan’s Thumb.

The center, at 16 N. Main St., will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day, according to local reporting. Residents can also call 989-439-5803, and access outside the posted hours can be arranged through volunteer Melissa Parrish.

The move comes as an excessive heat warning is in effect across the region. A same-day forecast described heat index values reaching about 108 degrees Tuesday and staying dangerous through midweek.

Why the center is opening

Parrish said the building’s 2024 HVAC renovation, which cost about $40,000, made the youth center usable year-round. That work now allows the site to serve as a public cooling space during extreme heat.

The center can also be used during extended power outages and other local emergencies, giving residents in Elkton and Huron County another place to turn if conditions worsen.

Public safety role

Cooling centers become especially important when temperatures and humidity combine to create a higher risk of heat illness for people without reliable air conditioning.

In this case, the Huron Youth Center is serving not just as a summer gathering place, but as part of the local heat response as the Thumb faces several days of dangerous conditions.

Residents seeking relief should use the posted hours if possible and contact the center directly for access outside those times.