By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

VANDIVER – Vandiver and Sterrett residents joined state and county leaders at the Vandiver Fire Department to officially break ground for the Vandiver-Sterrett Senior Community Center July 9.

County Manager Alex Dudchock said he first met Edna Weldon, president of the Vandiver Park Board, when she took a group of ladies to Heardmont Park.

“They came with a mission,” Dudchock said, noting the women were looking for ideas for their dream senior center.

Weldon, who is involved with local seniors, said 60 to 100 seniors attend functions in Vandiver and Sterrett.

Dudchock said the residents are “self-reliant,” and have raised more than $15,000 locally. The county contributed $10,000, and the Alabama Department of Economic and Communiyt Affairs contributed $250,000. Through a grant, the Community Health Foundation was able to provide an additional $150,000 for the project. State Reps. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, and Dickie Drake, R-Leeds, and state Sen. Slade Blackwell, R-Birmingham, provided support for the project and attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

“It started with everyone who’s here,” said Marion Watson, vice president of the Vandiver Park Board. “The people of Vandiver, Sterrett and Dunnavant, it was the group here that made it happen.”

Vincent-based Douglas Built, LLC, won the bid for the almost $400,000 project. Owner Andy Douglas said he hopes to have the senior community center built by Thanksgiving.