Senior Center makes room for additional activities in Jackson

Sun shines through the many windows at the 3-month-old Jackson Senior Center as seniors enjoy dancing to a live band and eating ice cream.

The senior social, provided by Jackson's Parks and Recreation Department, is an event the old building couldn't provide.

"The old building was just so much smaller and didn't have enough parking," said Debbie Stockton, administrator. "This new building is just so nice and all the windows in here just let so much light in. People just really love this new center."

These people are Ruby Moll and Dottie Lincoln, who have come to the new senior center every day since it opened.

"I'm a widow and I don't like to sit at home all day," Moll said. "It's nice to come to this place. It keeps me young."

The new senior center at 2690 Travelers Way serves lunch every day. An average of 80 people a day come to the center for lunch; the old center had about 60 people a day. In addition, 105 Meals-on-Wheels lunches are delivered.

Other events such as health screenings and help with filing income taxes are now provided with more ease at the new senior center, said Lester Maevers, board of directors vice president.

"At the beginning of October, we were able to give 409 flu shots here," he said. "We just didn't have the space to provide that at the old building."

The new center is also attracting seniors from places other than Jackson. Seniors from Cape Girardeau, Advance and Perryville attended Wednesday's social.

"There are 10 or more new people coming here each day," Stockton said.

The Jackson Senior Center is still in need of funds to pay off its new $800,000 building.

Over the weekend the center held a kettle-cooked beef fund raiser which raised approximately $3,000. More than $145,000 is still needed to pay off the building.

If the old center at 402 E. Washington is sold, the new center should almost be paid off, said Maevers. The old senior center's sale price is $129,000.

"Hopefully we'll get that sold off and we'll be in good shape," he said. "We've had several people interested, but nobody has come up with the money for it yet."

Maevers isn't too concerned the old building hasn't sold. He's just happy seniors in the area have a new center.

Lincoln is happy about the new building too.

"I like all the room we have to do our crafts and play cards," she said.

Funds for the new senior center came from a state grant, Cape Girardeau County and an anonymous donation of $100,000. Procter & Gamble and the Lichtenegger family donated the land for the new center at 2690 Travelers Way.

"I don't think we could ask for anything better," Maevers said. "I'm just tickled to death with all the things we are able to do here now."

Maevers said the building is also available to rent out for special events. For more information call (573)243-4241.

jfreeze@semissourian.com