NEW PORT RICHEY - First, structural problems forced the closure of a senior center in Elfers. Now the city-owned senior center that took the overflow from Elfers needs an emergency roof replacement to prevent flooding and mold problems.
 
The New Port Richey City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved an emergency $57,900 allocation to replace the roof on the Claude Pepper Senior Center at 6640 Van Buren St. The council also authorized $5,000 to repair interior water damage and remove mold in the center's walls. The center will remain open during the repairs.
 
City Manager Scott Miller asked for the unbudgeted repair money so the 15-year-old roof can be replaced before summer rains and hurricane season begin in force.
 
"I hate to say it, but we need to get this done now," Miller told the council at Tuesday night's meeting. "I don't think this roof is going to make it through this season."
 
Another concern: mold.
 
About 250 uninsured seniors visit the center's clinic each month, said Lee Fenton, the center's director. Miller said the city needs to act now to avoid "sick building syndrome" that might jeopardize the health of clinic patients and lead to more costly repairs.
 
"We can't afford to have mold growing in there," he said.
 
City Council member Matthew McCaffery said the deferred maintenance and quick repair jobs of City Councils past are finally catching up to the city.
 
"Now we're paying for it," he told the council. "If we're going to spend $5,000 every few months, we should just spend $10,000 and get it done right."
 
Added Mayor Dan Tipton, "I think we learned a lesson on this." The city's main fire department building also has roof troubles. But Miller said those repairs can wait until they are figured into the 2005-2006 budget. Last year, the city spent about $80,000 to repair leaks in the roof and windows at the 15-year-old City Hall building.
 
Parks and Recreation director Robert Consalvo said Wednesday that he is waiting to hear when the contractor, Gulfstate Industries Inc., can begin replacing the senior center's roof.
 
"I want to get it done before we get some really heavy rains," Consalvo said. "It's cutting it close."
 
The city allows the nonprofit Community Aging and Retirement Services Inc. to operate a medical clinic and host activities at the center on weekdays. CARES also operated a senior center in Elfers that was shut down in May due to structural problems.
 
Some of the activities and classes from Elfers were moved to the Claude Pepper Senior Center. Several thousand seniors attend tai chi, quilting and other classes at the center each month, said Fenton, the center's director. She said neither rain nor the repairs will force the center to close its doors.
 
"If it's a really, really heavy downpour, we have a puddle on the floor," Fenton said. "We just mop it up and get back to work."
 

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