T-L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM Daniel Roberts, a senior who attends the Monroe County Senior Center, pictured front center, speaks in opposition to the possible relocation of the county’s senior services center during the commissioners’ meeting Tuesday. Also pictured in the front row are Gary Ricer, left, executive director of GMN Tri-County CAC, and Toni Elliot, a senior of the center.

WOODSFIELD — Senior citizens voiced opposition to the Monroe County Board of Commissioners’ proposed move of the Monroe County Senior Center from its current location to the former Safe Auto building.

Officials with GMN Tri-County Community Action Corp., the organization that administers the senior services program in the county, and a handful of seniors met with commissioners during Tuesday’s meeting. GMN Executive Director Gary Ricer inquired as to what the future holds for GMN and senior services if the center is relocated. He said the CAC has administered the program for the county for the past 20 years and would like to keep doing so.

Following the county’s purchase of the former Safe Auto building in June, commissioners said they planned to relocate the senior citizens center to the new building after a set of renovations are completed. The center is currently located in the same building as the county health department and veterans service office at 118 Home Ave. in Woodsfield, while the county’s newest building is located along Black Walnut Parkway in Woodsfield.

Ricer said the seniors are pleased with the current location and do not feel a move is necessary.

“If there are any changes, we’ll try to implement those but we feel we’re doing a good job. We’ve done it for the better part of 20 years, and it would be nice to know if you’re planning on moving that we would be a part of that and going with you. That’s the main reason we came up,” he said.

Ricer said 73 of the center’s seniors have signed a petition against moving the meal services to the new facility. Daniel Roberts, a senior who signed the petition, said he was upset that no one approached them and asked their opinion on the possible move.

“No one tells us anything. … You’ve got to understand, people, especially our age, like a little information, what it’s all about,” he said, adding that he would like to keep the services based where they are now.

Commissioner Bill Bolon said he and fellow commissioners are only trying to help expand services in the county for seniors by moving the location. Commissioner Diane Burkhart said she would like to install a swimming pool at the new facility where seniors could take part in aerobics classes, along with other activities.

Bolon said since the COVID pandemic began locally in early 2020, the center has remained closed and not offered much other than meals to seniors. Senior Services Director Michele Hollins said that is untrue, adding that the center reopened before any other center in the state after the restrictions were lifted. She said that many people who used to attend the center have chosen not to due to the ongoing pandemic.

Bolon said the commissioners envision the senior center being “more than it is now.”

“It would be a pool, it would be exercises, bingo,” he said.

Hollins responded that it currently offers bingo, dances, cards and other activities.

“There’s exercise classes out there right now … some partake and some do not. There’s opportunities,” she said.

Ricer added that if the county would like the CAC to do something different, its staff will do their best to accommodate those requests.

Burkhart said the entire reason for moving the center is to provide more services to seniors in the county.

“You’re right, we should have been talking to you more, although I was talking to senior citizens, perhaps not you guys. The idea is to expand all of the activities that are available for senior citizens, and I’m really behind this pool because I believe it helps senior citizens stay healthier. I’ve seen all the research,” she said, adding that she, herself, is a senior. “We’re not trying to disrupt what you enjoy. We’re trying to make it so there’s more pleasant things to do, more activities.”

Ricer asked commissioners if GMN would continue to administer the center’s services upon a move to the new facility. Bolon did not give a definitive answer, only saying that the commissioners have not made that determination yet.

Concerns were also raised about the new location being “out of town.” Commissioner Mick Schumacher said the board is working with Buckeye Hills, whose transportation manager now has an office inside the new building that will assist with transportation issues.

Schumacher said there is not a timeframe yet for the potential move. The county is still working to renovate the new kitchen.

Ricer asked if seniors could eat their meals at the current location and hold activities at the new location. Bolon replied that commissioners want to keep all the services at one central location.

Schumacher said he hears from residents each week regarding a lack of services for seniors in the county.

Hollins said she has not heard any complaints and welcomes feedback.

“Part of it has been a Gestapo-type environment,” Schumacher told Hollins, speculating about why people have not reached out to her.

Hollins invited commissioners to come to the facility “any time,” adding that lunch is served between 11 a.m. and noon.

After some further back and forth regarding services, commissioners thanked the residents for coming and said they were happy to receive the input.

Commissioners will next meet at 9 a.m. Monday inside the Monroe County Courthouse in Woodsfield.