Over the last year Rowan County has partnered with the Gateway Area Development District on an ambitious project aimed at keeping the area’s senior citizens active members of the community. Planning began in 2020, construction was approved in 2023, and now the new Rowan County Senior Center is finally open.
Rowan County Judge Executive Harry Clark has been a proponent of this project since its inception before the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the idea to construct this nearly 6,000 square foot center came from a desire to do good with covid relief funds from the federal government.
“Some places just gave their money to employees as employee hero bonuses and stuff. We talked about it and we thought, ‘Well you know, they’re going to go and buy big screen TV with it and in 15 minutes they’re going to forget where they got the money from.’ So, we wanted to do something lasting,” Clark said.
The path ahead wasn’t always easy for the effort, however. Clark added, construction of the center required collaboration between many different agencies at the state and local level. They even faced a delay with the Community Development Block Grant funding at one point.
“They had to do that twice because we had exceeded the CDBGs for one year, we didn’t get it constructed in one year, so we had to go back and ask for an extension on it,” said Clark. “So, it has been a big effort, but to see it and to see the smiling faces, it really makes you feel good and that you’re doing something for the folks that kind of lead the way here.”
Clark added, it’s important the community looks out for the people who have contributed so much to it throughout their lives. He said this includes making sure they have the means to stay healthy and happy well into their golden years.
“As you age, it’s not as easy to get out and walk around outside now,” said Clark. “So, having treadmills and those things available to them here, it will just benefit them all the way around. Their health and just their interaction with people, just socializing.”
One such member of the senior center is Vietnam War Veteran Rick Netherly. Mr. Netherly moved back to Morehead in 2013 and was involved with the senior center at its previous location. He said the difference between the old location to the current building is dramatic.
“We’ve got cornhole boards, but we haven’t used them in a long time because we didn’t have room up there. All we had was a hallway. It’s going to be different; it’s going to be a whole new ball game,” said Netherly.
Netherly added he could hardly believe all the improvements made from the previous location to the new center when he arrived. Perhaps most noticeable was the amount of space the seniors now have available for a variety of activities.
“This room right here is almost three times the size of the old building. That ain’t counting these outer rooms,” said Netherly. “Their kitchen is bigger, they got game rooms, they got a puzzle table, they got treadmills.”
Netherly said he looks forward to seeing how the center will grow with all the new additions to the new location. He added anybody aged 60 or above is welcome to participate in a congregate meal and all activities the senior center provides.
“If you’re a senior, come and join us is the only thing I can tell you. 60 or better,” Netherly said. “It’s a good place to come, meet friends and all kinds of good stuff. Fun, food, and fellowship!”
Currently, an outdoor walking track has been approved for construction, and many other amenities are being planned for the outdoor area around the senior center. More information on who is eligible to participate in Rowan County Senior Center activities can be found on the Gateway Area Development District’s website.