No Time Table Set for Return to Senior Center

Nearly two weeks ago, the Muskingum County Center for Seniors had to close its doors.

Now, the push continues to get a temporary building for the seniors to have the center’s daily activities. One of the seniors who enjoys square dancing at the center said it’s like not seeing your family for several weeks.

“We’ve missed it very much, Margaret Godby said. “But we also feel sorry for the noon time people that can’t come in and get there meals, but we do miss square dancing and it’s good, older people, we get our exercise, have fun, visit with people.”

Executive Director of the Center, Ann Combs, said the county has been trying to find a place for the seniors. She said they’ve been dealing with a leaking roof for years but said the landlord would not fix the problem. And it took being shut out to get the problem resolved.

“We are in a crisis mode,” Combs said. “Unfortunately we’re doing our very best that we can to continue to serve the seniors in Muskingum County. It’s just under very dire and difficult circumstances.”

The center has withheld rent from the landlord since September in an effort to get this problem corrected sooner, but Combs said it has not worked. The county has a lease on the building until August of 2016. So all plans lead to returning to the center as soon as it is safe to do so.