More than six months after changing its name, the Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County and staff are still committed to working with the City of Owensboro to build a facility which can meet the changing needs of the community.
Dana Peveler, executive director of the Senior Community Center, said a survey, which will be released this week, will offer the community an opportunity to provide input about what they would like to see in the facility.
“We hope everyone will participate in the survey so that we can produce the best possible outcome,” she said. “One point we really want to make is that the sky’s the limit – we want everyone to list every idea no matter how far-fetched or impossible it may seem, because, just like our gorgeous riverfront, we want a state-of-the-art facility that people all over will be talking about.”
The center changed its name from the Munday Activity Center in August of 2018. Located at 1650 W. Second St., the staff provide services, support, resources and programs to individuals age 60 and older.
“The seniors want a center that is designated for folks age 60 and up,” she said. “I think they welcome the idea of having resources within a complex for all ages, for example, a clinic, bank and grocery, in which the community has access to those amenities independently of the senior center as well as by coming through the actual building to access them.”
Abby Shelton, community development director for the City of Owensboro, said the city has a goal of building a new community center on the northwest side of town near the Senior Community Center. Shelton also has plans to turn the current senior center into an affordable housing location for seniors in Daviess County and Owensboro.
“We would love to be able to add a salon or on-site grocery, but those things will need to wait until a new building has been built which includes space for those amenities,” Peveler said.
Peveler said they also have some exciting new programs in the works. They are currently designing senior-friendly business training.
“Our team is working hard to establish a basic program which can be taken to any business or entity wishing to become more involved or informed on how their organization can better meet the seniors in this community,” she said. “Once they’ve completed the workshop they receive a window decal which can be displayed to indicate that that business is a senior-friendly business.”
Part of the program is sensitivity training – putting people in the seniors’ shoes when it comes to vision, dexterity, hearing and other prevalent influences.
Peveler said the staff will work closely with the business to identify areas specific for their business that they can easily, with little to no additional cost, implement to increase their customer service.
“We have so much going on from yoga, Zumba, cards, billiards, meals, educational opportunities, to information on all government entitlements and benefits,” she said. “We have so much fun here – crafts, parties, dances, just a chance to get out and meet new people, or just to get out and watch TV in our lounge.”
For more information call 270-687-4640 or visit seniorcenterodc.com.
