The Rowan County Fiscal Court has an update on the planned new Senior Center in Morehead. The project began in 2022 when a portion of land was purchased on Clearfield Street for the center’s construction. To help fund the $2 million endeavor, officials applied for and were approved a $750,000 grant by the Department of Local Government. Conditions of that funding caused the delay in breaking ground.
For years, Rowan County has rented space from the Morehead Housing Authority for senior activities and services. However, Rowan County Judge Executive Harry Clark said as programs have grown over time, so has the need for space.
“We need a senior center. We haven’t ever had one. We’ve just kind of used whatever was available to us, we currently use A Heritage Place. The Morehead Housing Authority has been really gracious to us, but we’ve outgrown that. It’s at capacity at about 40,” said Clark.
Because federal funds are being committed to the project, the land for the center has been under review for the past year and a half. Clark said part of the study is to ensure the construction does not infringe on any nearby land that has historical or cultural significance.
“Then it’s given to all of the Indian chiefs, believe it or not, and they have time to look at it and review it and see if there were any artifacts that were found that would constitute preventing the building from being built. So that’s been a huge process,” said Clark.
According to officials, no conflicts or artifacts were reported. Now, Clark said contracts will be ready to bid before winter.
The new center is planned to have room for 100 people. Features planned for the establishment include a covered drop-off area, a cafeteria with seating for nearly a hundred people, a patio area, an exercise area, and more.