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NKCAC Will No Longer Manage NKY Senior Centers; Ludlow Takes Action

ludlow senior center
Courtesy of The River City News
The senior center in Ludlow.

Changes are coming to senior centers in Northern Kentucky.

The Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission took over control of the centers in Ludlow, Elsmere, and Williamstown in 2016 following the dissolution of Senior Services of Northern Kentucky.

But, funding has become a problem.

"Over the past three-and-a-half years, it has been our pleasure to manage the senior center in Ludlow and provide valuable programming to the seniors in the area.  During that time, funding has never been adequate to manage the centers and NKCAC has taken the burden of forging agreements, seeking and managing outside funding streams, and providing staff for fundraising events, and still was forced to draw from our reserves to keep the centers operating," NKCAC executive director Catrena Bowman-Thomas said in a statement to The River City News. "Earlier this year, our Board of Directors made the difficult decision that we could not continue to operate the centers at a loss, and voted to no longer serve as the operating manager for the senior centers in Ludlow, Elsmere, and Williamstown. We fully support initiatives that keep seniors healthy, independent, and engaged in our community."

The City of Ludlow is taking steps to keep its center operational.

We applaud the efforts of the City of Ludlow in their endeavors to keep the center open for individuals of all ages to enjoy," Bowman-Thomas said.

Ludlow interim city administrator and police chief Scott Smith explained the city's plans at a recent council meeting.

The city tapped resident Joanie Powers, who had been helping out at the city in the midst of its own financial struggles, to come up with a plan.

Powers determined that the facility could be operated as a community center.

Smith said the community center option would allow for more programs for more people, and that it could be rented out to other parties to generate income. Powers will serve as the center's director.

The future of the Elsmere and Williamstown centers is unknown at this time.

In other Ludlow business, city council voted to sell 227-229 Elm Street, which is the current home of the Ludlow History Museum. That museum is moving to the public works building on city property adjacent to the new Rail Viewing Station.

The move is expected on July 27.

On Aug. 17, an event is scheduled for the Rail Viewing Station which will give visitors a chance to check out the museum, too.

853 Elm Street was also put up for sale.

The movie Dumbo will be shown at the city park on Aug. 11 at 8 p.m., Smith said.

It was also announced that the Ludlow Vets will hold their second annual Limburger fest on July 27.

This article first appeared on The River City News. For more stories like this, visit rcnky.com now

Michael Monks brings a broad range of experience to WVXU-FM as the host of Cincinnati Edition, Cincinnati Public Radio's weekday news and information talk show.