Leonard at large 9/30

Tuesday, September 30, 2003

It has moved from drawings to becoming real -- a new Senior Center for Vernon County. It now is only a few weeks off until the Senior Center will be moving into a new home. In recent months we have observed the building being constructed on the corner of Hunter and Main. At first -- when it was being staked and during the early stages -- it had an appearance of being relatively small. This is not unusual during the construction of a new building. Now as we look at it, we see a building that we in Vernon County can be proud to have as the location for the Nevada Senior Center. I had never stopped to go in and observe at what was being done. Last week, I stopped by and took a tour of the building, which has a way to go. I was impressed with what has been done and got an idea what it is going to look like when it is completed. I was impressed. Many of us had opinions about the location, the design, the construction and other things which might have been different than what we are going to have. It is time to put all of that in the past and work together in making this a great center and to encourage participation and use. The cost of construction for the building is $800,000. A block grant for $300,000 was received and $500,000 is coming from the one-half cent special park tax for capital improvements. Upon completion, the City of Nevada will be leasing the building to the Senior Citizens, Inc. This is the group responsible for the building and will provide it for the Nevada Senior Center. A few weeks ago, I told you that the new building will take money. There will need to be additional funds for the furnishings and it will require a larger budget to operate than what it does in the present location. The city of Nevada purchased the land and is building the new center with city funds and a Community Development Block Grant. The city is also purchasing the essential kitchen equipment, which is a costly item. You will recall that the original intention was to obtain a $500,000 grant, but this large of a grant was no longer awarded. If that had been obtained there would have been a million dollar expenditure. Still, what was received is a tremens help in providing a new building. There remains a need to obtain private funding. This may be a factor in how soon the center will start using the new center. Funds are needed to pay for the remaining kitchen equipment and other equipment and furnishings for the remainder of the facility. There is little in the current center that will be moved. Much of that equipment and furnishings is actuarially owned by the housing authority. What can be moved will be moved, but much is left to be purchased. The Senior Center is operated by District III Area Agency on Aging. District III passes through state and federal grant funds to help operate the center. Still, that is less than half the funds it takes for the center to operate. The remaining money needed to operate the center is raised in the community. The board that raises these funds for the center is a separate board and is responsible for raising funds for the operation. There are no funds that can be used for equipment and furnishings through District III. The District will be transferring some equipment from other centers that is currently not in use to this center. Vernon County Seniors, Inc. the not-for-profit building board, will own the equipment and furnishings. In addition this group will be raising additional funds to be put into an account to see that all necessary repairs, and new equipment and furnishings needed in the future will have the required funding available. This is where many organizations with a facility runs into problems by not having this type of funds. There should be approximately ten percent of the cost for a building put aside for this purpose. The Vernon County Seniors, Inc., is a not-for profit organization whose purpose is to provide support. needed equipment, and furnishings for the Senior Center. This group composed of citizens within Vernon County, is commonly referred to as the "building board." The name, Nevada Senior Center, only indicates the location, it serves older adults throughout Vernon County. The home-delivered meal program operated by the center is extensive, and meals are delivered in the county every day. A commitment has been made by the Senior Center to continue to satellite meals back to the Crawford House for those who do not want to attend the new senior center. Experience in other new centers shows that once a new center is opened, the need for continuing meals in the previous location drops rapidly. The newness of the new facility is a draw in itself. When a location was being discussed for the new center, District III committed to offering transportation to all who need it in order to attend the new center. That commitment is still in place. The new building will soon be completed. For it to serve its purpose, private funds will need to become available to provide the remaining furnishings and equipment. Many were wanting to wait until the building was there to obtain the funds from private sources. Now it is there and timing is essential. It takes about eight weeks from the time the equipment is ordered to the time it is received. For additional information contact the Vernon County Seniors Building Board at 1117 North West Street, Nevada, Missouri 64772 or by calling (417) 667-5847. This is a dream for Nevada and Vernon County and will serve an important segment of our population. This demonstrates Love in Action . . . in Nevada.

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