Community center considered

HAUSER - Hauser may get a community and senior center yet.

The Hauser Lions Club has offered to build the facility and is asking for the city's support to gauge public interest on a bond for funding it and for grant applications.

The idea has been floated multiple times in the past, but funding has been an issue, said Lion member Joe Tierney, who recently made a presentation to the City Council.

However, Tierney said he believes there's enough momentum now to see the project through.

"As far as I know, everybody wants it," he said.

Tierney asked the council to consider sending a flyer to residents on the idea and to see if they'd support a bond to help pay for the center. The council is expected to give Tierney an answer in October.

"The first step is to see if there's support," he said. "The Lions will volunteer on the construction side of it and we may have a source for (donated) materials."

A site has not been determined, but buzz about the center has locals looking around and asking for either a good deal or a land donation, said Mayor Olita "Oly" Johnston.

Tierney said the Lion's have been in contact with the City of Worley on how a community center was built there with about half of the cost being from donations, grants and donated labor and materials. A grant through the Panhandle Area Council with matching funds is a possibility.

"We don't have either a community or senior center and maybe it'll happen this time," Johnston said. "It would be nice if it did."

There's several community groups in Hauser, but they meet at various places, including City Hall, the fire station and businesses.

"We're a large enough community and there's enough groups to support this," Tierney said. "There's also community events."

Tierney said details about the project, including how much would be needed for the bond, would be determined after public interest is determined.

"I feel good about it," Tierney said.