It's a bad news/good news situation for the Honoraville Senior Nutrition Center. The bad news: proposed grants to construct a new center fell through. The good news: plans are still in place to build a new multipurpose community center in the western Crenshaw County community.

Last Thursday, Probate Judge Jim Perdue, Crenshaw County Commissioners Ronnie Blackmon and Ricky McIlwane, Tyson Howard of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and other interested parties toured the Honoraville facility.

They met with site manager Shirley Goodwin and the seniors who attend the center to share some positive news and encourage those who use the facility to &#8220be patient.”

&#8220We are still looking at a new building. That hasn't happened yet, but it's going to happen,” Perdue assured his audience.

Because of the continuing deterioration of the building, Perdue said emergency funds would be sought to make the necessary repairs on the structure until a new building could be constructed.

&#8220We are looking at getting funding in the next year. It will probably take approximately 12 to 18 months to get that new building completed,” Perdue said.

&#8220We are working with Representative Charles Newton and Senator Wendell Mitchell on this. ADECA has also said they would help us as much as possible.”

The judge said the new multi-purpose community center, which would feature a full-service kitchen, a large congregational room and two activity rooms, storage and handicapped-accessible restrooms, would also be designed as an emergency center to be used during severe weather.

&#8220This new structure would be of great benefit to the entire community, and part of a continuing effort to improve the situation in our county,” Perdue said.

The senior center is currently located in a portion of the old Honoraville School, which has been closed since 1974. The building, constructed in the mid-1920s, is in desperate need of repair. Hurricane Ivan did serious damage to the roof in 2004. Constant leaking is further damaging walls and floors. In one old classroom, window panes are broken out and water is standing, the floor visibly warped from the moisture.

&#8220It's been leaking in our dining room and the ladies' restroom. Obviously, something must be done or we are going to have to find a place to go…and there really isn't anyplace else suitable in the community,” Goodwin said.

The emergency repairs, she said, &#8220will help us get through until we can get a new building.”

&#8220To have a modern building open to the community would be so convenient – and so good for the community,” she added.

According to Perdue, the plans are to save the old school's auditorium, &#8220preserve what we can, and still get you a new building.”

Last summer, the Crenshaw County Commission originally met with the South Central Alabama Development Commission to discuss funding options for the proposed 5,600-square foot facility with an estimated cost of approximately $437,000.

The commission agreed to apply for a $250,000 Community Block Development Grant and a $100,000 Rural Development Grant through the USDA to fund the facilities.

Remaining monies were to come from local donations, in-kind cash in the form of land donation, engineering and pre-construction and possible match funding by the commission.

The Honoraville center currently serves 35 meals a day. A new center would be able to provide meals for up to 50 seniors.

&#8220We've been working on it as hard as we can.

We know how good this program is out here,” Blackmon said.

&#8220We have a soft spot in our hearts for children and seniors. We have to take care of these two groups.”