May 23, 2013
KINSEY, AL---To normal eyes it looks like an old house but to seniors in Kinsey it will soon be much more.
"We plan to renovate this structure and turn it into a senior citizens facility," said Kinsey Mayor Jason Reneau.
That's thanks to a $224, 036 Community Development Block Grant.
Mayor Reneau says instead of building a brand new center, they chose to renovate the house because it's a piece of history.
"The house has been in the community for years."
The renovation calls for the walls inside the house to be torn down in order to make bigger rooms and add more restrooms. They'll also add a walk ramp for seniors in wheelchairs to make it a little easier for them to get in.
"Im just excited, I recently retired and I just feel free," said Kinsey resident Inez Hagler.
Hagler has lived in Kinsey for 48 years and says she's happy to know all the seniors in town will now be able to come together.
"There's a definite need. We have a tremendous number of seniors in our community and we all need something to do to occupy our time and I think it's going to be wonderful," explained Hagler.
The mayor says the seniors currently meet in the fire station and this new center, should make them feel more at home.
"They just want to be able to get together and play dominoes, crochet, make blankets and socialize. A lot of time these people get shut inside because of their age and they don't get out a lot," added Mayor Reneau.
The town is contributing $24, 895 to the project.
Work is expected to begin during the beginning of next year.
