Senior Junction of Ridgway has soft opening Tuesday
RIDGWAY - Groundhog Day brought welcome news of an early spring and of the approval of the final state requirement to establish a new senior center, The Senior Junction of Ridgway, Inc.
After 12 years, the Ridgway community is joining the five other Elk County communities to enjoy the meals, programs and activities of a state-sponsored senior center. In the spring of 2023, Ridgway Township resident Judith MannoStager met with the Office of Human Services/ Area Agency on Aging about the requirements for Ridgway to receive the benefits of a state endorsed senior center. Stager formed a steering committee and wrote a proposal which was accepted by the OHS/AAA Board of Directors on Thursday, May 4.
The search was on for a suitable ADA accessible location with adequate parking. OHS assists with supplying a program director, programming and discounted meals for over age 60, along with sanitizer and other requirements but not for building rent or purchase. During the following months, three prospective locations were visited and evaluated by the steering committee and OHS but all were deemed not feasible due to lease, rent requirements, or inadequate parking. Steering committee member and Ridgway Borough Manager Mike Handley offered the possibility of the Second Ward Fire Hall as an option. The 100-person capacity fully equipped fire hall with a good kitchen and parking was going to accommodate this senior center appropriately.
Stager wrote a proposal to Ridgway Borough Council which was sent to the Recreation Committee at the August meeting following opposition by a nonstate affiliated group. Stager presented news articles about the other Elk County senior centers and about the need for a center in Ridgway, and OHS Director Kim Briggs answered questions, reporting the endorsement of OHS/ AAA. The Recreation Committee unanimously voted to approve the borough-owned 2nd Ward Fire Hall for use as a senior center and the proposal was placed on the agenda for the next Borough Council meeting. Following Council’s unanimous approval on Monday, December 18 a five-year renewable lease was formalized and signed.
OHS determined that at least one of the restrooms had to be ADA accessible. The push was on to get estimates and the $7,750 needed to transform the current ladies restroom into an ADA unisex restroom. Since the group had not received their nonprofit status in order to apply for grants, two local benefactors stepped up with funding to refurbish the restroom to keep the Junction project in motion.
Simultaneous with the restroom project, the steering committee finalized the name, researching that there was no conflict. Ideas and bylaws were graciously provided from visits to neighboring senior centers. Online bylaws were also good references to establish those for the Junction. Once the Articles of Incorporation and application for a 501c3 Non Profit were completed, and benevolent Attorney
Tom Wagner donated his time and expertise to review, revise and professionally file the documents.
When the junction was officially incorporated and the non-profit status granted in December, an organizational meeting was held adopting the bylaws and electing the board of directors and officers: Judith Manno Stager, Nancy Hoffman, Michelle Bogacki, Pat Brennan, Mary McGrath, Ridgway Mayor Ray Imhof and Mary Detwiler.
ProClean donated a part of their services to professionally clean the facility from top to bottom. The drapes did not hold up to cleaning and with the approval of the firemen, Mary and Madigan McGrath selected material and Madigan kindly offered to make new curtains.
Carl Marnatti of the Ridgway Moose spoke upon how the success of these types of benefits does not happen alone.
“At the end of the day, it is the community we have to thank for being able to pull these off and their support.”
Basket raffle items are still being accepted and chances for the large items and the silent auction will be made available at the Ridgway Moose on Wednesday, February 14 as well as Friday, February 16 during the club's fish fry.