Dublin center will seek bids in effort to construct walls

Officials at the Dublin Senior Center in White Lake Township are hoping to make a couple of architectural changes to the building in the near future.

The senior center recently received permission from the White Lake Township Board of Trustees to open the project to bidders.

Senior Center Director Kathy Gordinear explained that it’s not really an “addition addition.”

“We’re not thinking of adding on a huge addition,” she said. “Instead, we want to build two walls in the front lobby to make another room. Basically, we want to take the lobby and make it half of its size.”

According to Gordinear, the new room would be used for certain programs that require privacy, such as Healing Touch Massage, Ask the Nurse, Ask the Attorney, and podiatrist visits.

“This is just a way to open up the back room,” she said. “When we had those other programs in the back room — they are one-on-one activities — it was taking up a big room for one person.”

By simply adding two walls in the lobby, the senior center would gain a lot more flexibility in their programs since the bigger back room would be opened for group activities.

“(The addition) will be more like a consultation room, which will allow us to add (more) programs,” Gordinear said.

She added that she doesn’t expect the addition to be too costly.

“We’re just looking at two walls, some trim, and doors. It shouldn’t be that expensive,” she said.

All funds for the project would first have to be approved by the township board, including the little bit of revenue the senior center has in its budget for the project, but first township officials have to receive and approve a bid, and then decide if they want to continue with the project.

Meanwhile, Gordinear said she is happy with progress at the senior center and its increased use.

“I’m just excited that we continue to grow every month, and that people continue to find out what great programs Dublin offers,” she said. “And we invite anybody to stop by any day, any time and ask some questions about the center.”