Photo Provided The former Safe Auto building in Woodsfield was purchased by the Monroe County Board of Commissioners this summer. Plans are underway to transform the building into a community center for numerous programs in the county.

WOODSFIELD — Monroe County commissioners are planning to house numerous entities and programs inside the former Safe Auto building that was purchased over the summer.

In June, Commissioners Mick Schumacher, Diane Burkhart and Bill Bolon decided to purchase the 10,000-square-foot building, located on Black Walnut Parkway in Woodsfield, for $300,000. They plan to transform the building into a community center that can be utilized by numerous entities and offer programs and activities for residents.. Schumacher said they want to help fill the gaps and needs in the community to improve the quality of life of residents.

“We want to have a place that benefits people of all ages,” he said.

Schumacher said the Woodsfield Bull Dogs youth wrestling program will use a room for practices this winter as they do not have their own facility. He said the wrestlers and their parents disassembled the interior work stations that were left in the building when it was purchased and loaded them to be disposed of. Officials attempted to sell the units, and then tried to give them away, with no success.

Monroe County Shooting Sports has also been utilizing a piece of the back exterior property for its practices. Schumacher said several of the program’s youth went to state competitions in the first year of the program.

“We are very happy to be supporting this program,” he said.

Commissioners also plan to relocate the Senior Services Program to the facility once upgrades are complete. The program is currently available at the Monroe County Senior Center, located at 118 Home Ave. in Woodsfield. Upgrades to the new facility are being planned that include a new kitchen and pantry to accommodate the senior program. Schumacher said the plans have been drawn and permits have been submitted. He said the work should go out for bid in the near future.

He said they are thinking of having the new Monroe County Mobility manager position be located inside the facility as well. Buckeye Hills Regional Council has advertised for the position, which would assist individuals in accessing all available community transportation options and help to increase awareness of community transportation needs in the county.

“They would be a Buckeye Hills employee but coordinate transportation trips for Monroe County,” he said.

County officials are still working on a name for the new facility. Right now, Schumacher said they simply refer to it as the former Safe Auto building because that is what most people know it as.

He said they are grateful for all the help they have received from community members in an effort to move this project forward.

“Great things can happen when we all work together,” he said.