Tekoa gets extension on .09 remodel grant

Tekoa requested and was granted an extension for its project to renovate the community center, which is the site of the former Jaycees Club and is adjacent to the Empire Theater.

Tekoa last April was awarded county .09 funds to complete the project, which will include linking the two properties by adding a walkway and constructing new restrooms in the community hall to allow easier access than the current theater restrooms, which are down a narrow staircase in a basement below the theater’s lobby.

At present, the nearest handicap-accessible restrooms for the theater are at a public restroom across Crosby Street from the theater.

Also planned in the community center project is a wheelchair ramp, along with ceiling work and heating improvements. Another phase would include the community center’s kitchen. The wheelchair ramp would make the restrooms handicap-accessible.

Mayor John Jaeger said the project right now has been held up by the restroom plan.

“We have a few people who would rather have the restrooms in the theater,” he said. Mayor Jaeger noted the project plan calls for a doorway to connect the theater and community center.

Mayor Jaeger said the city would like to have a community discussion to make sure the community is getting what it wants in the project.

“Let the people talk,” he said.

A public forum is slated for Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. to discuss the project.

The city last April presented its proposal for the community center project to the county’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Taskforce committee, which approved $34,000 in funding for the project. The committee awards the county’s .09 funds yearly, and recipients normally have one year to complete the project.

Last year, the task force awarded $34,000 to the Tekoa project and $66,000 to the City of Colfax and Colfax School District for completion of the Schmuck Park/Colfax school athletic complex restrooms project. The committee annually awards $100,000 for .09 projects for economic development.

Mayor Jaeger made the request to the Board of County Commissioners via a letter. The request was approved for a one year extension to May of 2018.