I'm scratching my head about this. While I agree that there should be places to get out of the extreme heat or cold, I remember growing up with no A/C in the house or cars. No one ever really thought about going somewhere to get cool in the summer. Occasionally, we'd go to the grocery store or mall, but that is because Mom had something specific to buy. We weren't browsers by any means. Why be tempted by what you couldn't afford? Oh, and the A/C-less car had vinyl seats that would burn your butt when you sat on them. Fun times.
What has changed over the years? The homeless population, or climate changes or just people's attitudes towards comfort? I'm not asking because I want to pick a fight with anyone. I'm asking because I'm genuinely curious.
I don't like remembering the days of sweating in our house because it was so hot out. My DD's BFF lives without A/C in her house and her family survives.
I would think the elderly would require these cooling centers even more than the homeless.