While discussing the uses of the senior center building, Senior Center Director Margaret Bartos mentioned a program discontinued at the center due to space limitations.
According to Bartos, the center’s woodworking program was held in the basement until 1999 when work was done to waterproof the area.
At this time, the equipment and tools were moved to the summer camp building, in Clintonwood Park, where the hope was seniors would have more room to participate.
‘However, parks and recreation and senior center staff soon realized that woodworking and children don’t mix,? said Bartos. ‘The equipment was too heavy to move around, so it was hidden behind a wall and rendered unusable.?
According to Bartos, yearly inventories are showing the tools ? all purchased through senior center fund-raising efforts ? are slowly disappearing. Every year, Bartos said a little more is missing.
‘Woodworking is very popular at other senior centers, but Independence Township doesn’t have the space,? said Bartos. ‘A wood carving teacher was ready to share his talents until he discovered his large wheel chair wouldn’t fit through the senior center.?