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Senior Center

2000

08 25 The Watertown Finance Committee Monday recommended the common council approve a proposed $1.35 million renovation and expansion of the senior center. The proposal for a west side, two-level addition will go before the council Sept. 5. The city would pay two-thirds of the project's cost, or $900,000. The remaining third, or $450,000, would come from center fund raising. Construction would begin in spring of next year. Pending council approval of the project, the city would borrow $1.1 million next year to fund the project. The center would repay $200,000 of the $1.1 million loan by fund raising in 2002 and 2003. WDT

2001

05 20 Efforts to raise funds for expansion of the Watertown Senior and Community Center received a big boost this week with a $50,000 grant from the Earl and Eugenia Quirk Foundation. The grant pushed the center’s fund-raising effort past the $100,000 mark. The goal is to have $250,000 in private donations collected by Sept. 1, with an additional $100,000 in 2002 and a final $100,000 on Sept. 1, 2003. A ll totaled the private sector is committed to raising $450,000 of the $1.35 million expansion cost. The check was presented by James B. Quirk, a director of the Quirk Foundation. He said $30,000 of the gift is earmarked for the general fund-raising effort and $20,000 will be placed in a special account to cover the cost of design changes to accommodate more windows overlooking the Rock River on the South First Street site. WDT

08 31 Construction on the $1.3 million expansion at the Watertown Senior and Community Center is temporarily delayed. After a few days into construction, workers began uncovering old foundations, thought to be a remainder of the Jaeger Mill Co. or the R.P. Koening and Co., a flour mill, that used to occupy the site. A black substance, indefinable, also surfaced. Soil samples were sent to Madison for testing, with results from the two week testing process expected at the start of September. WDT

09 13 Soil samples taken from the Watertown Senior and Community Center expansion site have been returned with material in the soil identified as a petroleum product. However according to Park and Recreation Director John Steber, the reported amount can be removed and taken to an ordinary licensed landfill site without any special dumping permit. Construction on the $1.3 million expansion was delayed about three weeks after workers began uncovering old foundations and a black substance a few days into the construction process. The old foundations are thought to be a remainder of the Jaeger Mill Co. or the R.P. Koening and Co., a flour mill, that used to occupy the site. WDT

11 11 No additional soil contaminants have been found at the Watertown Senior and Community Center, according to Teri Lechner, senior center director. A construction report Monday indicated the biggest area of concern, the parking lot, contained no additional contaminants. However additional concrete needs to be removed from the riverbank. Soil samples taken in August from the expansion site tested positive for petroleum products. After construction workers discovered the old building foundations and black substance, the project was delayed three weeks. Additional material found on the north foundation wall of one of the buildings was discovered to be solid waste or burn material from an old fire that was buried. WDT

2002 Quirk-Conley Addition

09 22 Plans to celebrate the grand re-opening of Watertown’s Senior and Community Center are under way according to center director Teri Lechner. The event is scheduled for Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. “There are a lot of last minute things that need to get done,” Lechner said. “We have lots of groups using the facility and lots of regular activities going on. But things are moving like they should and hopefully they’ll continue in that direction.” A ribbon cutting ceremony and presentations will kick off the day’s events. Dr. James E. Conley and his wife, Lillian Quirk Conley, who donated $200,000 toward the expansion of the center, will cut the ceremonial ribbon . The addition is named after the Quirk-Conleys in recognition of their large gift. WDT

2003

09 03 For the past three years supporters of the Watertown Senior and Community Center have been working to raise half a million dollars to pay for the renovation and expansion of the South First Street facility. Their work is now complete. Teri Lechner, the center’s director, presented a check to city officials to cover the final $100,000 obligation at Tuesday’s Watertown Common Council meeting. “We are proud and honored the city trusted in us enough to fulfill our commitment to them,” Lechner said. “Without a doubt, the Watertown area came through to support our capital campaign.” WDT