Funds to start the building were obtained by the Finance committee through business and local citizen donations. Over $30,000 was raised. The Building committee determined the size (60 by 72 feet.), the type of constructing, and floor plan. A retired contractor, Ray Oelke, prepared the construction plans and supervised the work. A local businessman voluntarily pushed over the trees, dug the footings and put in the concrete forms??? Employees of Jerry Dobbins’ excavated the footing and place the concrete for the foundation??? {which one was it??}

Twenty-five senior volunteers ranging in age from 65 to 85 provided most of the labor. They worked almost daily for six or seven months to finish the building  for its spring opening date of May, 1978. In addition, over 100 Job Corpsmen working on the building were supervised by various officers trained in each craft. The Job Corps looked at the center as a training opportunity. They poured the concrete floor, erected the fireplace, installed the marblecrete exterior siding and assisted with carpentry work, using material provided by the Center. The white brick fireplace was thanks to the Ephrata Lions Club which donated the materials.

 

The new center included a kitchen, two restrooms, a director's office, a lounge, an arts and crafts room, a game room and a multipurpose room with a hardwood floor for dancing. The dance floor has dimmer lights and room for 305 people. Many of the citizens assisted with carpentry work, interior finishing and painting - all volunteer work. Local contractors installed the electrical, heating and plumbing systems.

To complete the building by May, 1978 a 15 year loan of $30,000 at a very reasonable interest rate was secured from Peoples Bank to help buy the materials. The building was estimated to cost $135,000, but actually cost only $68,000 to build. The savings came through the many persons who volunteered their skills and labor on the building's construction. For example, the carpeting was furnished by a local business. The kettles and dishes come from the Title VII Food and Friendship Program which would serve the senior meals at the center.

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Dedication Ceremony

The dedication of the building was May 20, 1978 at 3 PM. Bob Smock of Peoples Bank in Ephrata gave the dedication speech. Dick Canfield of Ephrata was the Master of Ceremonies for the event. Others participating in the dedication rites were Ephrata Mayor Les Parr, Walt Click, building Committee Chairman Al Colwell, Mrs. Mable Thompson, and Ephrata Senior Center Board of Trustees President Charles Brader. Other members of the Board were Walter Click, Doug Green, Floyd Craig, Elizabeth Click, Richard Klein, Jack Wright, Berta Hunt, Walker Armstrong, George Furman, Hazel Simmons, Margaret Lilleby, Cathy Busch, Erie Sola, Bob Monson, Red Mendenhall, and Howard Nessen.

 

The Rev. Richard Klein led the invocation and the Rev. John Davis led the benediction. R. L. Parrish was the soloist. He was accompanied by Bonnie Woods. City Councilman, Robert Smock, who participated in the planning and fund raising for the Center, said in a dedicatory speech, "Everybody that enjoys the benefits of the building will know that in 1978 there was a community that cared and there were citizens that cared." He went on the say that when the project was conceived, it was decided that the center was going to be built "with citizen's dollars, not with tax dollars." He pointed out that both the business community and the seniors met the fund raising goals set for them. He hoped that people would specify the Senior Center in memorials or wills to make up the remainder. The first had already come in from Selma Therriault.

 

Over 1000 people signed the guest book. Presentation of a US flag from the Veterans of Foreign Wars was given by Mrs. Curtis Elshire. The Flag Salute was in memory of Grace NcNair. In 1979, at the annual meeting president Margaret Lilleby, chaired the meeting. They elected five new board members to three year terms. They were Andy Baker, Stella Allen, Berta Hunt, Paul McMains and Henry Nowka. Bonnie Woods was named to a one-year term to replace Cathryn Busch who resigned earlier in the year.

 

A few of the achievements accomplished that year: The center purchased a beautiful commercial range for the kitchen and hired a janitor to do the janitor work that the manager, Mabel Thompson had been doing. They had had dime-a-dip dinners.

 

Future objectives of the Center at this time included improved transportation for members, more home visitations and continued support of the Ephrata community who has contributed so much to the success of the Center.