By By Adam Prestridge
Some much-needed repairs will soon be made to the Atmore SAIL Center following an approval by the city council Monday afternoon.
The council gave authorization for Mayor Howard Shell to “exercise some repairs” to the facility, which offers meals to area senior adults and offers them activities daily.
According to SAIL Center director Charlotte Purvis, roof damage has been evident at the facility since Hurricane Dennis ripped through Atmore in 2005.
Purvis said that leaking water from the roof has caused costly damage inside the SAIL Center including the destruction of the roof in her office after water and mold caused it to cave in. She hasn’t been able to use her office in several years because of the damage and currently works from a makeshift office in the facility’s main room.“To me it feels like God is working a miracle for us,” Purvis said. “I give God the credit where it’s due.”
Purvis added that attempts to patch the roof over the years only fixed the problem for short periods of time.
Atmore resident Sterling Fancher, who recently began visiting the SAIL Center, was on hand at the meeting and commended the council on their decision.
In anticipation of the repairs, Purvis believes the turnout of seniors will increase once they are completed.
Purvis said at times she has buckets catching water from the leaking roof, which she believed discouraged seniors from visiting.
Fancher also encouraged the council to consider additional repairs needed at the SAIL Center including upgrading the bathrooms and repairing the director’s office.
Purvis agreed with Fancher’s concerns, stating the roof is first priority.
In other business, the council:
Relay for Life committee member Myrna Monroe also spoke on behalf of Relay for Life’s Paint the Town Purple campaign where members will sell purple ribbons to residents and businesses.
Members will begin selling ribbons immediately.