Progress continues on senior center expansion

Date: 2/11/2009

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



SOUTHWICK The Council on Aging is one step closer to seeing an expansion built onto its cramped Senior Center.

On Feb. 5, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) closed the window for proposals for design for the 2,000 square foot expansion, having received over half a dozen entries. The proposals have to be reviewed by a committee before the top three can be sent to the Board of Selectmen for consideration.

During an interview with Reminder Publications, Council on Aging Director Jeanne Margarites explained that the expansion is needed in order to accommodate the town's booming senior population.

She explained that many of the classes cannot fit in the center and must take place in the Town Hall auditorium. Margarites noted that classes are frequently canceled due to town administrators needing the auditorium.

The town received approximately $75,000 to fund the design of the Senior Center expansion from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development Block Grant Program.

Paul Bracciotti, senior planner at the PVPC, said the selection committee should be presenting the Board of Selectmen with the top three design firms for their consideration within several weeks. He noted that 13 architectural firms attended the required pre-submission briefing on Jan. 26 at the Senior Center.

Karl Stinehart, chief administrative officer for the Board of Selectmen, explained that once the design is complete, the town will be eligible to apply for funding for construction.

He added that applications will be filed for additional funds through the Community Development Block Grant Program if it's not included as part of the state's stimulus plan.

Margarites said she is pleased with the project's progress but that seniors are anxious to "get this going" to the construction phase.