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Group pushes for county senior center

By Caroline Trowbridge - | Sep 6, 2000

A group of county residents concerned about senior citizens’ issues hopes to construct a senior citizens center on county-owned land.

The group’s plans also call for the Leavenworth County Council on Aging to move into the new building.

“We think it would be wonderful for the entire county,” said Linda Lobb, director of the council on aging. “It would be programs that seniors in the entire county could utilize.”

The private group that is pushing for the senior center has incorporated under the name Leavenworth County Senior Services. Last week, they approached county commissioners about constructing an 8,000-square-foot structure just east of the County Infirmary, on Broadway Street in Leavenworth.

“I think it’s a good idea,” said County Commissioner Don Navinsky. “It’s like any good idea, it has to be something that is workable. My concern is: Is the follow-through going to be there to make it happen and whether there will be enough finances for them. They seem to have a lot of faith.”

Commissioner Wayne Eldridge agreed with the merits of the plan.

“If it can all be worked out, I think it would be a good deal,” he said.

Eldridge, an outspoken critic of the County Infirmary, added: “A better deal would be to close the infirmary and use that building for that.”

Like his fellow county commissioners, Bob Adams said he likes the plan, although many details must be handled.

“At this point in time, I fully support seniors,” he said. “Gosh, they’ve been wanting to do something for a long time. As long as it’s feasible, I support them.”

Most issues to be ironed out center on the site: parking, relocation of a sewer line and maintenance and upkeep of the building.

“We’re not trying to dampen their spirits,” Commissioner Adams said. “But we’re trying to make sure those things are thought of in their plan.”

In addition, Navinsky said, the county’s not much interested in taking over ownership of the building.

“I want them to keep the building,” he said.

Jeanette Allison, who said she would handle fund-raising for the planned building, believes strongly in the need for a senior center.

“Several of us concerned citizens have surveyed and found the need is so great,” she said. “Lawrence has a beautiful one, and Bonner has a beautiful one.”

Allison and others envision a building that would include expanded programs offered by the council on aging.

Jill Guenther, president of Leavenworth County Senior Services, said the council on aging would occupy about half the space in the 8,000-square-foot structure. Rent for the council, set at $750 a month, would match the rent the county pays for leased space in downtown Leavenworth.

The other half of the new building would be devoted to uses such as a conference room, a craft area, a computer room and a game room.

Guenther, a home health nurse, said, “Seniors are important to me. This sounded like something I needed to be involved with and I wanted to help make it happen.”

Allison said she plans to obtain grants as part of the fund-raising efforts.

“We’re hoping we’re going to cut a ribbon in 2 1/2 years at the most,” she said. “We hope in two years.”

The site is ideal, she said.

“It’s not a real high traffic area,” she said. “It’s centrally located. Even coming from Lansing, Tonganoxie, Basehor, it’s easy to get to. From Easton, it’s the same way. It would work out really well.”