Work planned at senior center

GENTRY — The Gentry Senior Activity Center sought permission from city council at its June 6 meeting to use $53,333 in grant money received to build the front canopy in plans for the building and to purchase and install a portable backup generator so that the building can continue to be used as a heating and cooling center for residents in times of power outages.

The canopy was designed to provide additional shaded space for senior citizens to enjoy the outdoors. Footings and anchor bolts are already in place but the canopy was not built when the building was renovated in order to keep costs down for the city.The current proposed project would be paid for with GSAC money rather than city funds.

The grant funds are GSAC’s, but because the building belongs to the city, council approval was sought. Since the money has been held by the center for some time, not to spend it for needed improvements was viewed as a factor which could limit the center’s ability to successfully apply for and receive such grant funding in the future.

Also requested by GSAC manager Jackie Bader was permission for a sign to be displayed on the side of the building to make the center more visible to area residents and for a storage shed to be placed to the rear of the building because of a lack of storage space inside.

The estimated costs for all the recommended improvements was thought to be well below the $53,000 the center has available.

The council gave a vote of approval to proceed in finding pricing for the requested items and to obtain a new bid to complete the canopy for the front of the building.

Gentry Mayor Kevin Johnston told council members he did not want to request a new bid price until he knew the council was in agreement to allow the grant money to be used for the canopy in front of the building.

GSAC also received an additional $10,000 from Walmart in Gentry. This money, Bader said, would be used to provide more Meals on Wheels service to Gentry seniors.