As temperatures soar and the heat index climbs past 100 degrees Fahrenheit this week, the first week of August, Vermilion County residents are doing their best to stay cool. For several of them, that meant visiting Danville Aquatic Center at Garfield Park on Monday.
Teagan Young and Charli Howard, two young friends, enjoyed jumping and splashing in the water as Teagan’s mom looked on.
Meanwhile, Linda Williams took her time doing laps in the pool before utilizing one of the pool’s brand new lift chairs to climb out. After a mistake during her knee replacement surgery five years ago, Williams says, she lost the lower portion of her left leg.
“I’m just so glad I can still swim!” said Linda, after she finished up her final lap and climbed onto the lift chair that had lowered into the water for her. “I love the water. That’s my happy place!”
For those struggling to keep cool in these high temps and smothering humidity, there are several cooling centers in the area that are open to the public, according to the Vermilion County Health Department.