Senior Center sees expansion

Helen Townsend, Councilman Jerry Jennings, Mayor Paul Finley and Bill Dawson ceremoniously cut the ribbon to the center's new addition.

Visitors to the Madison Senior Center no longer have to crowd in the women’s restroom when a storm threatens the city.

The center received a $350,000 addition, which includes a multi-purpose room, which will double as a tornado shelter, a card and game room, an art room and patio were added to the center, located off Hughes Road, next to Discovery Middle School.

“We’re exciting for our seniors, we’re excited for the community of Madison. It’s growing city and we want to grow along with it,” said Vickie Parker, activities coordinator.

The expansion was funded by the city council under the capital improvement plan.

Jerry Jennings, councilman for district 3 was a strong advocate for the expansion. He was a member of the Senior Center before being elected to city council.

“I became familiar with the needs of the center,” Jennings said. “One thing really driving the expansion is providing an adequate safe weather room for when we have inclement weather. Mayor mentioned that everybody had to crowd in the ladies restroom, which was very uncomfortably, and inadequate, now we have a room that can up to 140 mph winds. We’re very happy to have that open now and have it furnished and expand activities.”

Marcella Daugherty, a visitor to the center said the facility would now provide needed additional room to accommodate all desires of the local senior community,

“The Senior Center in the community is full of well-respected people who have spent a great deal of their life financing and taking care of people who came before them,” Daugherty said. “And now, they’re enjoying the opportunities that they are entitled to. This expansion was desperately needed and I’m very grateful.”