Gov. Don Siegelman has awarded a $250,000 grant to the city of Montevallo to build a new senior citizen center.

Siegelman

recently notified Montevallo Mayor Grady Parker that the grant was approved.

Parker said the city will match the grant with $25,000 in funds. He said the plans for the new senior center have already been drawn and the new facility will

be located near the current one (a metal building) in Orr Park.

Parker said the current facility will be remodeled for other purposes. However, he said, the new senior center will be constructed to resemble a house and &uot;will fit in with the neighborhood.&uot;

He said the city has been working to get a grant for the past two years with Sue Tedford, director of the county’s department of Senior Services.

Parker also noted that Montevallo will make use of a $20,000 grant from the county to renovate the current facility for senior services. He said the current facility will be used until the new center is open.

According to Parker, the Montevallo Senior Center also currently serves residents of Bibb and Chilton counties, as well as neighboring communities of Wilton, Pea Ridge (food only) and Dogwood.

Parker acknowledged that the city is pleased to receive the $250,000 grant announced by Siegelman and that there is a need for a better facility for the seniors. He also said

the proposed new facility will increase the number of participants in the program.

&uot;Alabama’s senior citizens have sacrificed and contributed to the development of our state and communities. they deserve facilities that will help them remain healthy and active,&uot; Siegelman said.

&uot;I commend Mayor Grady (Parker) and the Montevallo officials for their efforts to improve their city, and I am pleased to provide these funds.&uot;

According to the Governor’s Office, the funds will be used to build a 2,100 square-foot facility to replace an existing facility which is inadequate to accommodate the town’s 125 senior citizens who participate in the activities of the center.

Siegelman awarded the grant from funds made available to the state through the Community Development Block Grant program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs. He has also designated the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to administer the grant.

Parker said the city hopes to have the new senior center in operation by 2003