Leonard at large 6/18

Wednesday, June 18, 2003

"What is that new building, over there?" One person asked me this recently, referring to the construction that is under way at Hunter and Main. It is going to be the new senior center, a place to serve all of the seniors of Vernon County. If you have gone by it recently, you will notice that progress is being made and the building is taking form. In a few months it will become available for the center to move into the new facilities. Recently, two of these columns were devoted to the new center. A few days later, I received a call from a long time county resident, asking about making a donation. My response was that it would be wonderful and I would get it to the right place. This is something that always gives me a thrill when I can help someone with a donation. This person was asked if it was for the building fund or for the program. The response was for the building fund. I had served as chairman of the Vernon County Seniors Inc., which is the building board. I went off of the board as a result of term limitations. I thought that a gift of any amount would be nice and expected only a few dollars. The planned gift turned out to be more than just a few dollars, instead it is what I consider a sizable amount. Recently, this person and I saw each other at a store and the check was written. This will be an incentive to the building fund as they organize their campaign. The donation will be helpful and will be announced by the board. The donor is looking forward to using the building in the future. The current senior center is now located at the Crawford House on North West Street. It has been used for several years and has provided a good place for the senior center. However, there is a need for more space and a place that is more assessable to all of the senior citizens. Even now, many people are not aware of where it is located and many have the false assumption that it is only for the people in the senior housing developments. The new building is being funded by the City of Nevada. This was possible as result of the half cent park sales tax, which will provide about $500,000. In addition $300,000 is being provided by a community block grant. This funding of the building was a concept that the late Wayne Neel, city manager proposed. He considered that a new senior center is important in economic development, as it will help attract more seniors to remain in the community or to move to Vernon County. There are some concerns that the new location will not be as convenient to those living in the senior housing areas. These concerns are right for those individuals, but it will be more convenient for many other citizens, in addition providing better parking space. When the new location was being considered, District III Division of Aging gave assurance that transportation would be available to transport the seniors from the housing areas to the new location. In addition, the plans included using the current site as a satellite, with the food being transported there from the new center. Many of these people will have the opportunity to continue to go there for their lunches. In the years ahead, it is hoped that the senior center can be expanded to include other satellite sites throughout the county. The amount of money that is being used to construct the building sounds like a great amount of money -- which it is. Still, when building a structure of this type for the purpose it is to serve, this sum of money puts a limitation on how much can be used. Many of the dreams that some had wanted in the new building will not be possible. It can not include all of the bells and whistles. When Wayne proposed obtaining a grant, those involved with the Vernon Seniors Inc. agreed that it would be a great way of obtaining the funds needed, compared to raising all of the funds through donations. At that time the grants being provided was for $500,000. By the time that the application was made for the building, these grants were cut to $300,000. The expectations were that there would need to be several applications submitted before it was approved. The applications were approved the first time submitted. With the approval of the park sales tax and the larger grant, there would have been one million dollars available. It is expected that new programs will be developed when the new center opens and there will be greater participation. Most of us are not aware of the potential for the center. The service board will be faced with needing to raise additional funds than what is currently being budgeted. At the current location, there is no rent being paid for the building and the utilities are included. The new location will require these expenditures, plus there will be cost for insurance on the building and contents. Once the building is completed, the city will lease the building to the seniors for approximately 50 years for a dollar per year. The Vernon County Seniors is responsible for providing the building and will be involved with the new facilities, in addition to raising additional funds needed for the facilities. The service board will be working with the building board in the daily operations and programs at the center. When the keys are handed over to the Vernon County Seniors from the city additional funds will be needed for further development and equipment for the center. The recent gift for the building fund will be a step toward meeting these needs.

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