West Ouachita Senior Will Expand/Double As Hurricane Shelter

The West Ouachita Senior Center in West Monroe is about to double it's size over the next year, but it won't just be for seniors. The extra space will also be used for a hurricane shelter. West Monroe senator Mike Walsworth made the announcement today at the senior center. He says by the end of the year, there will be a new multi-purpose annex building and a vehicle garage. Walsworth says the homeland security committee was looking for ways to expand government buildings that could also serve as hurricane shelters. Walsworth is chairman of that committee. He says several cities competed for the $10 million dollars available for construction. He says the senior center ended up with the most money for their expansion project. "We will more than double the size of our facility to meet the growing needs that we're having with the influx of baby boomers and people are living well into their nineties, they’re choosing a healthy active lifestyle,” said West Ouachita Senior Center Executive Director Jeanette Ellington. Senator Walsworth says the building will be equipped with showers. He says the project should be complete by the end of this year.