Seniors join YMCA in building project
Leonard Thornton
Diversity Institute Fellow
03.29.04
A Middle Tennessee organization that provides services to people 55 and older hopes to break ground on an $11 million senior citizens center in Bellevue by April or May of 2005, the group's executive director told attendees at a luncheon on Thursday.
Janet Jernigon of Senior Citizens Inc. made the announcement to members of the Bellevue chapter during a meeting at the Meadows, a nursing home located at 8044 Coley Davis Road.
Jernigon said the project will be a joint venture with the YMCA.
"We had to go back to the drawing board," said Jernigon. "We initially thought we could build this for around $8 million, but the property cost more than we expected."
The new center will be constructed on 20 acres located on highway 100 near the Bellevue Baptist Church, she said.
Jernigon said the group has already raised about $2 million but has learned that no funds will be available from Agency on Ageing and the United Way.
"If you know of any one who would like to make a donation, please let us know," Jernigon said.
The organization already operates six other centers in Middle Tennessee, according to its web site. Jernigon said that some of the other chapters sponsored various fund-raisers, such as carnivals and raffles.