Friendship Center headed for new location soon
Final specifications for the facility have yet to be developedBy JESSE HELLING, Messenger staff writer
The Webster County Disabilities Alliance Friendship Center is headed for a new location.
Eventually, a significantly larger center will be completed on the second floor of the county-owned Bank of America building at 108 S. Eighth St.
The Friendship Center provides services to the disabled, including learning skills and opportunities for socializing.
For the near future, the center will occupy a temporary space while the new location is remodeled, said Irene Blair, center point of coordination administrator for Webster County Community Services.
Currently, the center is located at the jail annex building at 602 Third Ave. N.
According to Blair, the boiler at that building cannot be turned on.
During construction, the Friendship Center will occupy a portion of the new space, Blair said - specifically, the room that will eventually become the center's kitchen.
When completed, the center will feature multiple areas, including a recreation room with pool and ping-pong tables and a "quiet room," featuring comfortable furniture, for people to relax, Blair said.
Final specifications for the center have yet to be submitted to the county. Once they are developed, bids for the renovation project can be let and construction can begin.
The Friendship Center marks the second phase of renovation to the Bank of America building, which was purchased by the county in May 2007 for $550,000.
Operations of the Webster County Community Services Department, including the General Assistance and Veteran Affairs offices, already occupy office space that was remodeled earlier this year.
Contact Jesse Helling at (515) 573-2141 or jhelling@messengernews.net
