Officials break ground for new center
By Stacey Creasy
News-Mirror
BOURBON � No fooling, April 1 was the day Bourbon residents had been waiting for � ground-breaking for the new senior/community recreation center.
The ground-breaking ceremonies took place at 3:30 p.m. at 805 N. Harris, a site donated to the community.
�This day has been a long time coming,� said Bourbon Clerk-Treasurer Jacki Murphy.
More than four years ago, the Bourbon Town Council began discussing the need for a senior center. They were informed by state officials a 20 percent match was needed in order to apply for a state grant to help build the facility.
Town officials saved money and began the planning stages for the center. Two years later, the council realized that between cash, land and in-kind services, they had closer to a 25 percent match, so the application was submitted to the Indiana Department of Commerce.
Council members and residents were thrilled to learn Bourbon was on the list for IDOC grants in 2002. Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan announced Bourbon would receive a $420,000 grant to construct its senior/community center.
The news came within months of learning Bourbon was also approved for a new Garden Court senior citizen apartment complex.
�This is something we really need,� Murphy said at the time, referring to the center. �We have a growing number of senior citizens in Bourbon.�
The Marshall County Commissioners and county council also agreed to provide $15,000 to help cover operational and maintenance costs.
The new facility will have a nutrition site for seniors as well as a recreational area where seniors can take part in various activities. The new center will also serve as a meeting place for area organizations and agencies.
Town council members have said the center will not be limited to Bourbon seniors. Elderly residents from the Etna Green-Tippecanoe area will also be able to come to the center or use its services.
Construction will begin this spring. Murphy is hoping the center will be in use by the fall
Marshall County Director of Older Adult Services Jackie Wright welcomes the addition to the countywide effort to help seniors.
�Right now their nutrition site is in a park center so they�ll be able to do more things once this is built,� she said.
�Whenever you provide an opportunity it is always a positive thing.�
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