Turnaround a welcome one for center

In the same time it takes to carry a baby to term, Wasilla Area Seniors Inc. has been reborn.

Nine months ago, the organization had to make significant budget cuts, including canceling the daily congregate senior meals and reducing the center’s hours. Now, through efforts spearheaded by executive director Sondra Kaplan, not only are Wasilla seniors enjoying their free meals again, they will soon have a new addition to the campus.

With help from an $800,000 capital grant from the state, WASI will put an addition onto its main building to house a new health and wellness center.

It’s a remarkable turnaround for a vital community service, and one we’re pleased to see. At the same time other local service groups, like Mat-Su Community Transit bus service, are suffering hard financial times, the senior center not only weathered its storm, but promises to be better than ever.

In addition to the gymnasium-type addition to the senior center, funds are also being allocated to installing a new fire suppression system and renovating the bathrooms to be compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Both are critical needs that are long overdue.

With help from the city of Wasilla and the generous people of the Valley, WASI is a shining example of how a non-profit entity can not only weather the economy and a financial storm, but prosper.

More importantly, we’re pleased that our seniors can depend on the center for nutritious meals and to be a place where they are encouraged to be physically active and healthy.

“A better physical lifestyle brings about less trips to the doctor,” Kaplan says. “With the nutrition program and health and wellness center, we can keep (seniors’) longevity there for quite a long time.”

A well-run, vibrant senior center is an asset to any community, and we’re proud WASI has not only turned the corner, but is well on its way to becoming just that for Wasilla and the Valley.