Plans for a dedicated senior center serving Rowan County residents are moving forward. Standafer Builders made a successful bid on the project, set to go behind Ambulance Station 2 off US 60 in Morehead. The company has also done work on the Rowan County Baseball and Tennis Complex, as well as the Menifee County Soccer and Track Complex in Frenchburg.
Harry Clark, Rowan County Judge Executive, said surrounding communities are aware of how much a senior center would improve the lives of people countywide. That’s why he is grateful the construction is in the hands of a local eastern Kentucky company only a county away.
“We’ve learned a long time ago that what’s good for the region is good for all of us. So, if we get a new building or new facility in Rowan County or Menifee County or Bath County, it’s good for all the surrounding counties. So, we all work together and pitch together,” said Clark.
Officials anticipate signing the contract in April and beginning construction soon after. Clark added he was satisfied with the lowest bid on the project, totaling $1.6 million from Standafer Building.
“We were concerned with the new tariffs and everything else going on within the economy. We were worried we may be priced out of the ability to afford it,” said Clark. “I’d already reached out to Frankfort to try and find some additional funding in case we needed it. Fortunately, we did not.”
The bid fits well within the county’s current budget, allowing for some extra improvements like concrete stabilization on what will be the floor of the kitchen’s walk-in freezer.
Clark said the 2025-26 fiscal year budget also has funding set aside to account for the construction process. The second reading of the county budget is set to take place during the Fiscal Court’s regular May meeting.