This community's half-million-dollar senior center has not yet opened because the old church that will be the center's new home does not meet federal accessibility standards.
An early October luncheon to announce the center's opening took place on schedule, said West Jordan Public Works Director Greg Walkenhorst. A few days later, compliance officials for the Americans with Disabilities Act told city officials they must modify ramps, restrooms and the kitchen before the center's doors could open.Since 1991, residents have gathered at West Jordan Senior Citizens Center center to quilt, watch television, shoot pool, play the piano, work with wood or do other activities. The popular center outgrew its location in the renovated single-family residence at 8101 S. 2200 West.
Center leaders helped get the city's approval and $507,500 in city funds and community development block grants to buy a red-brick LDS church north of City Hall on Redwood Road.
The city has a handful of staff members working on the modifications - which come with a $30,000 price tag. It hopes to finish by the end of December, Walkenhorst said.
The center's 300 members are looking forward to more room to spread out crafts, quilts, dolls and activity tables at the new location. But none seems "too disgruntled" about the delay, said Klea Ernst, site coordinator.
"We were a little disappointed at first, but it is an older building and it wasn't designed to be a senior center," Ernst said.
The new center will be bigger and more spacious than the old one. About 48 people could sit together at a meal held at the 2200 West center, and the new location's dining area holds nearly 100.
"We were shooting for 100 but had to rearrange the tables to allow the 36-inch wheelchair requirement, so it's a few less," Walkenhorst said.
The City Council is scheduled to vote tonight to pass a policies and procedures document for the new center.