Senior Center groundbreaking will be soon

You may have noticed that both the calendar and the land indicate the coming of SPRING! Winter has been long and difficult for many in the Midwest, but it is now time to look ahead and anticipate the blessing of abundant moisture and sunshine as seedtime approaches.

Although the ground was not leveled for the new Senior/Community Center because of early snowfall, plans are being made for groundbreaking in the near future. The Project Engineer and the District III Planning Coordinator have met with the local committee and interested supporters. Building plans have been approved; heating/cooling possibilities are under discussion; kitchen design is a work in progress.

Many generous contributions have been received for which the Senior Citizen group is very grateful. Some token contributions were made, with anticipation of making larger contributions when construction begins. Many folks pledged to give on a certain future date or over a period of time. Currently the building committee has over $97,000 deposited or pledged toward the project; the city of Wessington Springs has received a Community Development Block Grant for the building; and the SD Community Foundation has given funds for kitchen equipment. The Engineer and Planning Coordinator anticipate that in addition to the deposited, pledged, and grant funds, a final $50,000 will be needed to complete the building project.

It is our hope that the center will be ready for occupancy before snowfall in the Fall of 2010, so the time for raising the remaining needed funds is now. In-kind contributions are also being solicited from those with skills to donate so that the ground digging, concrete work, and various jobs of construction can actually begin. We encourage each of you reading this letter to give as generously as you can and to encourage your friends, neighbors, and relatives to do the same.

We believe you will agree that the multi-purpose Senior/Community Center will be a valuable addition to our extended community and that you will want to become an active participant. The new facility will display a plaque recognizing significant contributors unless you prefer your contribution remains anonymous. Thank you very much for your support.

Gratefully Yours,

Officers/Building Committee

Lowell Stanley, President; Brian Bergeleen; Marilyn Robbins; Harold Mettler; Abbie Younie; Linda Burg; Keith Robbins; Verna Thum; Greg Vavra; Beverly Salmen

(Donations can be sent to the Senior Center, PO Box 47, Wessington Springs, SD 57382; In-Kind support/labor can be volunteered ASAP by calling Brian Bergeleen at the Farm Bureau office, 539-0014, or by contacting any of the above committee members)