CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The City of Clarksville is considering folding the operations of the Ajax Turner Senior Citizens Center into the Parks and Recreation Department.
Lois Greider, a former senior center board member and current volunteer, told Clarksville Now that the city didn’t pick up the lease for the senior center, located in a city-owned building on Clark Street, which has been the center’s location since 1983. She said the plan is to transition the operations over to Parks and Recreation.
In response to questions about the change, Pitts told Clarksville Now there are a growing number of issues with the Ajax Turner Senior Citizens Center that threaten its future viability, and they can only be addressed by making the center a division of Parks and Recreation.
“Among the concerns are the extreme turnover in the center leadership and staff, the health and safety of the staff and members, and the care of the city-owned facilities,” Pitts said.
“We will provide structure, more-robust programming for the members, and fringe benefits for the staff of the center by making them city employees. There will be more information presented to the City Council during the upcoming budget discussions,” he said.
Currently, the Ajax Turner Senior Citizens Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Funding comes not only by the city, but also by the state, federal government, as well as through the United Way, according to the center’s website.
Pitts said the city has no authority over the nonprofit organization, other than the appointment of board members. “So, it is up to the board of that organization to determine their future,” he said.
The board currently includes Chairwoman Beverly Guynn, Dr. Gregory Fryer, Otis Sanders and Rose Bennett. Three vacancies are listed on the city’s website.
Clarksville Now has reached out to Guynn for comment.
Greider, along with other concerned community members, plans to address the Clarksville City Council during public comments before Thursday’s meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m.
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