City Council considers additions to community center

The city of Sheffield Lake is considering upgrades to the Joyce E. Hanks Community Center, 4575 Lake Road.

Mayor David Bring said he wants to enhance the Community Center and that will enable the city to provide more programs for senior citizens in addition to increasing the demand of the location as a venue for conferences and training sessions.

Bring said he wants to see the city get more use out of the building and take advantage of the location on Lake Erie.

“We need to take advantage of the lake, which is one of our greatest assets as a community,” he said.

Sheffield Lake Superintendent Pat Hastings said a conceptual drawing has been completed in advance of some upcoming funding and the project is estimated to cost around $225,000.

The city is researching grants including a Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Some opportunities may exist in the pursuit of expanding senior programs,” Hastings said. “While preliminary, we are positioned to secure funding sources and engage the public on their input.”

At the Feb. 28 Council meeting, Council-at-Large member Rosa Gee said nominations for block grant funding will open in the spring and requires the Council’s approval.

At this time, minor upgrades are being done to the building in the form of interior painting and LED light upgrades.

In other Council business, Sheffield Lake approved the appointment of a full time dispatcher and passed an ordinance that accepted the donation of $2,500 from the Community Civic Counsel to provide more than 100 tables and 10 chairs for the Hanks Community Center.