The Senior Center has operated at St. John's Church since July.
WESTFIELD – On-going construction of a new Rocky’s hardware store will delay the Council on Aging relocation plans to 40 Main St. beyond Nov. 1.
As a result, Director Tina Gorman is asking the city for an additional $13,600 to finance an extension for rented facilities at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Broad Street.
The Senior Center has operated from the church since July because of access problems attributed to the Rocky’s construction and an on-going $14 million reconstruction of Main, Elm and Broad streets that includes rehabilitation of Park Square Green.
The relocation remains temporary, Gorman said this week. “But, because uncertainty and approaching winter months, we are asking for funding to secure use of the church facility through the current fiscal year,” Gorman said.
“The intent is to move back to 40 Main St. as soon as possible but not before safe access to the Senior Center is available for our senior population,” the director said.
Mayor Daniel M. Knapik agreed saying he has requested City Council appropriation of the $13,600 from city reserve accounts.
“Construction of Rocky’s new building is continuing and then there will be work on its parking lot and demolition of the old hardware store,” said Knapik. “It is feasible to continue to hold Senior Center activities and services at St. John’s until work is completed along Main Street,” the mayor said.
Approval of funding will allow the center to continue to operated at the church on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In August, the City Council, at Knapik’s request, appropriated $6,400 from reserves to finance rental of St. John’s facilities through Oct. 31.