VIDEO: Progress Made on Plans to Construct New Senior Center

Plans to construct a new and much-needed senior center are moving along, according to Jim Reinke, member of the Seekonk Senior Center Building Committee.

Members from the committee attended last Wednesday's Board of Selectmen meeting to get an additional $700 to fund site plans; without BOS approval, they are restricted to paying less than $5,000 for the plans.

According to Reinke, the committee has been asked to work with a $2.5 million budget to erect a new center that will be located on Taunton Avenue across from the Town Hall. The new facility is planned to have efficient office space, room for community activity, and solar passive heating.

According to Reinke, the current senior center located at the former Pleasant Street School is a subpar facility. The area is too cramped for employees and those restricted to wheelchairs are forced to use a rickety mechanical chairlift to get up stairs.

"The chairlift is a scary ride...It's too small of an environment. It's just not good," he said.

Committee members encourage members of the public to attend the next meeting, scheduled for Monday, Feb. 28, to ask questions and give recommendations regarding the senior center plans.

"We want to see what we can come up with...We want input," Reinke said.