Early results show voters in Violet Township resoundingly supported the Pickerington Senior Center levy renewal on the May 8 primary election ballot.
With seven of 32 precincts reporting as of 10:02 p.m. May 8, the issue was winning 74 percent (1,875 votes) to 26 percent (645 votes)
The 0.2 mill, 5-year levy generates $196,000 annually and costs the owner of a $100,000 homea little more than $6 annually in taxes.
The revenue is used to provide programming and maintain the center, 150 Hereford Drive.
The center was opened in 1984 and is different from many such facilities in how it receives its funding.
Along with the revenue generated by the Violet Township senior-services levy, much of the center’s budget is generated by fundraisers held by its members, who also perform much of the maintenance and groundskeeping work.
Senior-center dues are $12.50 annually, and membership is open to anyone 50 years old or older regardless of residence.
In recent years, revenue from the levy and the fundraisers has been used to fix the center’s roof, upgrade its fire-suppression and sprinkler system, upgrade the heating and cooling system and repair and expand the aging parking lot.
Center officials said they are looking at a long-term plan to expand the facility and create additional restroom facilities and access points to meeting rooms so those attending events and activities in those areas do not have to walk through the main hall.
The new access points would enable multiple activities to be held at the center at the same time without patrons interrupting each other’s programs.
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