Ward Park Picked for New $7 Million Senior Center

Ward Park has been selected as the proposed site for a new senior center by Mayor Arthur Vigeant.

“It’s nice to finally be able to spend a few million dollars on a place that will be a fufture place for our seniors," said City Council President Patricia Pope. “This is really the first thing we have built in the city since we built the fire station on central street. It is a long time coming.”

The council reviewed the proposal for the estimated $7 million project along with a request for $500,000 to begin the design phase.

A new senior center, and its location, has been a topic of discussion for years. There have been many ideas, from purchasing land to build on to renovating an existing

"The best location for a new senior center has always been the most debated aspect of this initiative," said the mayor in a communication to the City Council.

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The new location will be in the northeast section of Ward Park, off of Granger Boulevard. The mayor listed multiple benefits to this location:

• Provide a downtown location with an ease of access off Granger Boulevard.
• Build on city owned property, allowing us to avoid costly land purchases.
• Allow for at least 70 - I 00 parking spaces.
• Conveniently located near field and track space, allowing our seniors the opportunity to have more recreational activities and events outdoors.

City Councilor Matt Elder said that he and residents in the area have concerns about the location. The neighborhood had a meeting to discuss an area master plan that people were pleased with, he said explaining that this would scrap that.

“I do support this I just want to make sure the neighborhood is ok with it," said Elder, stating he was especially concerned about communication moving forward.

Councilors requested a councilor be placed on the planning and building committees for the project.

The proposal was sent to the Operations and Oversight Committee. The transfer request was sent to the Finance Committee.

"Our senior population has patiently waited for this moment for a long time," said the mayor in a communication to the City Council. "I look forward to working with you to see this project through to completion and giving our seniors a new place they can call their own."