EDITORIAL: Celebrating new digs for seniors

It took more than a dozen years, but the Agency on Aging finally has a home worthy of our senior citizens.

The agency moved into its new digs in the county’s new South Campus building, and joined with the Kalispell Senior Center, over the past several months, and celebrated a grand opening last week.

We congratulate everyone involved for the dedication it took to make this happen, starting with Jim Atkinson, the former director of the Agency on Aging who advocated for a larger space as long ago as 2004.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t an easy task. It took the concerted efforts of several county commissioners, including former commissioner Cal Scott and current commissioners Pam Holmquist and Gary Krueger, to find the funding and make it happen. Current Agency on Aging Director Lisa Sheppard was instrumental in overseeing the transition from the old “temporary” quarters to the bright new building that will welcome seniors for many years to come.

If anything, the Kalispell Senior Center had faced an even worse prospect if funding for the new building had not materialized. Now both the county agency and the Kalispell group will work together to meet the needs of our local senior population for daily meals, exercise opportunities and group activities.

Sheppard said that because of the downtown location on First Avenue West and the improved accessibility and friendly atmosphere, the Agency on Aging is already seeing an increase in demand for services.

We are proud of all involved, and encourage anyone who is a senior citizen or who is a caretaker for a senior to visit the new facility and take advantage of the great opportunity it represents.

Not to be forgotten, by the way, is that the South Campus building also houses the county Planning Office, Environmental Health Department and Election Department. A great return on taxpayers’ investment.