A fundraising effort for a new Geary County Senior Center is beginning.

The Board of Directors for the Senior Center have voted to begin the process that would put a facility in the central part of Junction City, instead of on the west side of town adjacent to South Spring Valley Road.

That information was provided by board member Susan Davis. “We want one that’s more centrally located in town. We want to be able to offer more opportunities for our seniors to have, for an example, a pool table, ping pong table, entertainment, things to do, just to offer more opportunity for the seniors in this community.”  Davis heads the fundraising committee. Fundraisers are being planned, and grants and donations will also be sought.

Davis noted a new building would take $200,00, or probably more funding. She said they’re hoping to complete fundraising in a two or three-year period.  She also made it clear that while Senior Center officials want to continue to receive Geary County funding support for operations, they do not want to impact the property tax levy with this project. They hope to raise the money themselves.

The first fundraiser is Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at Freddy’s Restaurant on East Chestnut Street in Junction City, where a portion of proceeds will go toward the Geary County Senior Center project.