Muskingum County Senior Center Now Has Option To Temporarily Utilize Secrest

There is good news to report for the Muskingum County Senior Center from Zanesville City Council.

An ordinance that allowed the Senior Center to temporarily move into the lower level of Secrest Auditorium at no cost was placed on the agenda as emergency. Councilman David Tarbert explains.

“In the beginning of their levee campaign which is coming up on May 5th, had the issue with the roof and the facilities that their former home. It was important to the Mayor who co-sponsored the ordinance and myself, that we find some city facility that we can to assist them in finding a new home for their activities, to help serve meals if we can. To whatever we can do to help them and obviously Secrest, in my opinion has always been a jewel of this community.”

Tarbert says he personally has received many positive responses from individuals in the community. He says keeping the senior center open is the least the community can do for our seniors who have given so much.

“This community was built on their involvement and their participation and you know I think back to–my great grandfather was a blacksmith, my grandparents owned a dairy in this community. They’re no longer with us. My parents are no longer with us but to think that, you know it’s important for us to give back to these people who gave so much to this community and just gave so much to this city and if we can help in a small way to do that I’m happy to do that. ”

The ordinance passed as emergency, and Tarbert says the Senior Center is free to move into their new, temporary home whenever they please. It remains to be seen, though, if the senior center will in fact choose to utilize Secrest as Director Ann Combs says that may not be the best option due to the stairs and restrooms. The Senior Center has the option to stay at Secrest until roof repairs are completed. Combs believes this will be at the beginning of April.