COMMUNITY, B1
Gallup Sun VOL 10 | ISSUE 507
www.gallupsun.com
December 13, 2024
Construction on new senior center scheduled to start next spring $12 MILLION IN GRANTS WILL COVER TWO PHASES OF THE PROJECT By Molly Ann Howell Managing Editor
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new senior center has been on the Gallup City Council’s priority list for a while now, and now the project can finally get started thanks to some recent funding. During the Nov. 26 city council meeting, the city’s Planning and Development Manager C.B. Strain said that the city now has almost $13 million to help fund the project. In January, the council accepted two large amounts of funding from the State of New Mexico Aging and LongTerm Services Department for a total of over $12.7 million. Strain explained that the project would be completed in three phases. The first phase includes building the center’s dining area, offices, lobby, kitchens, storage areas, and restrooms. What Strain calls “Phase 2A” will see the completion of a group exercise area, a fitness room, more storage space, an arts and crafts room, a library, and a billiards room. A gymnasium with a basketball court will complete the project in Phase 3. REVISING COSTS In January, Strain estimated that the total cost of the project would be $20 million. When city staff put out a request for bids in July, Murphy Builders, Inc. put in the lowest amount for their request proposal. According to the proposal, Phase 1 of the project is going to cost $8.83 million. Strain said Phase 2A is going to cost over $212,000. With these price tags in mind, Strain said city staff
The City of Gallup dedicated the current senior center's dining hall in memory of Juan Delgagdo. They renamed the dining hall after him during a ceremony on Sept. 14, 2023. The new center's dining hall will also bear his name. Photo Credit: Courtesy of the City of Gallup realized they had enough money to have the council approve both phases now. “We were originally approaching council with just Phase 1 in mind, but when we got our grant money and the proposals came in, we were quite pleased with the prices that we got,” Strain said. “It’s going to be real tight, but we do have enough to get it done.” Councilor Michael Schaaf, Dist. 2, noted that waiting
to do Phase 2A would actually cost the city more money. “Now if they waited on 2A, they’d have to tear down the stucco and then it would cost us more in the long run,” he said. Strain agreed that waiting would add to the construction costs.
See SENIOR CENTER, Page A3
Dr. Kevin Foley
NCI director departs after 24 years By Molly Ann Howell Managing Editor
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r. Kevin Foley, Executive Director of Na’Nizhoozhi Center, Inc., will step down after more than two decades of service, the organization announced on Nov. 15. Foley, who has accepted a new position in behavioral health with a coalition of tribes in Northern California, is leaving to be closer to
his family. His last day in Gallup will be on Jan. 15. Foley began his career with NCI in 2000 and became Executive Director in 2013. During his tenure, he led the nonprofit through significant challenges, including the withdrawal of Navajo Nation funding and the COVID-19 pandemic, while expanding its services and securing critical funding. Among his key accomplishments, Foley with the City of Gallup, secured a grant from U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., to expand substance abuse treatment services, and he navigated the organization
out of “high-risk” status by improving its financial oversight. He also facilitated the expansion of NCI’s services with an additional 25-bed facility and helped secure Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities certification for the organization. “I am proud of the work we’ve done at NCI, especially saving lives and helping hundreds recover from alcohol and drug abuse,” Foley said. “I couldn’t have done this without the dedication of our front-line staff, key community partners, and
See DR. KEVIN FOLEY, Page A3
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309 E. Nizhoni Blvd Gallup, NM 87301
Photo Credit: Kim Helfenbein
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