Gas leak shuts down senior center

POST FALLS - A gas leak has closed the Post Falls Senior Center for about a week, or until further notice.

The building was evacuated on Monday as seniors were gathering for lunch and after employees noticed a smell.

The center's board voted to keep the building closed until the problem can be fixed for the safety of the seniors.

"Hopefully we can get it back open (Tuesday)," said Alison McArthur, executive director. "We're going to try to get it fixed as soon as possible."

McArthur said the center is going to have to raise about $25,000 as all three furnaces need to be replaced and brought up to code. Bids are being received.

Furnace upgrades were not part of the remodel of the center about a year ago. The center sustained water damage from a broken pipe, which led to the remodel.

McArthur said a few seniors complained of headaches and not feeling well on Monday before the building was evacuated.

Seniors were still fed lunch at the adjacent senior center thrift store on Monday.

McArthur said the center will likely obtain pre-cooked meals from the Geiger Correctional Center in Spokane for its Meals on Wheels program until the building re-opens.

All other programs, including the weekly hot meals at the site, exercise classes, Bingo and civic group meetings, have been canceled until the building re-opens. Voting was held as planned at the center on Tuesday.

"We're busy next week, so we're hoping we can get if fixed," McArthur said, adding that the chamber of commerce and Rotary have events planned. "If not, we'll lose that compensation (from rent) and those groups have lost their place to go."

McArthur said there isn't funding to apply toward the furnaces as the center essentially operates from day to day. She said "creative financing" is being explored so the problem can get fixed, then the money can be raised.

"This puts us in another hurtful situation that jeopardizes senior exercise and nutrition programs," she said.

Tax-deductible donations can be dropped off at the senior center campus on Third Avenue Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or mailed to P.O. Box 418, Post Falls, 83877.