Dear editor:

For years time and money has been spent developing a positive outcome for a new, handicap accessible senior center for the Powell area seniors. The current facility lacks aisle space for walkers and wheelchairs. Food servers maneuver between tables and chairs with an agility to be admired.

The scheduled activities of crafts, exercise and health programs are performed in cramped space. Due to stairs up to the office and stairs down to the basement, many members lack ability to navigate them so are unable to obtain the services located in those areas without assistance. I hate even to address the restrooms, parking lot and reception area!

The public and city leaders are always welcome to view the building. Initially it was a machine shop with a makeover many, many years ago. It is beyond time for the new center to be built. After years of working to build near the Rocky Mountain Manor, that was abandoned.

On June 17, 2024, at a Powell City Council meeting, it was approved for the city to take over ownership of the former VFW property purchased by the senior center in April 2024. With an approved formal memorandum of agreement and understanding, the city stated it would have more grant opportunities for state and federal funds.

After the expense of demolition and removal of hazardous materials from the property, the land has sat idle. Now efforts are being devoted to fund a recreation center (Powell Recreation Department, One Health and Park County School District 1 as the movers and shakers) and trails and bike path (Powell Economic Partnership as the mover and shaker).

It’s wonderful One Health hopes to use its excess land for an indoor track, community kitchen, community garden and weight room designed for senior citizens (offering a possible reduced membership for seniors who are One Health members). As is quoted, “through more physical exercise, we could actually improve the health outcome for all of our community, not just the youth of our community.”

Lo and behold, the senior center has exercise equipment located in the “non-accessible” basement. It provides exercise programs and nutritional meals from its commercial kitchen, parlor game activities and many informational programs. As far as a community garden, Big Horn Enterprises has been managing the community garden at Veterans Park for many years allowing rental of garden beds and welcoming volunteer help.

It is time for priorities to be put in place with NUMBER ONE, POWELL SENIOR CENTER! The city needs to immediately stand behind its obligation to research specific programs, determine the eligibility and submit competitive applications to find the funds to construct a safe, user friendly structure to accommodate seniors for their daily use.

Linda Pettengill

Powell