Lighthouse will close for renovations
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on February 2, 2006 1:51 PM
The Lighthouse of Wayne County is temporarily closing its safehouse for renovations.
The shelter will be closed until June, co-director Mary Bolin said.
Residents are being moved to other safehouses in neighboring counties, and furniture will be moved out next week in preparation for the work.
If there are any domestic violence victims who need sheltering during the renovations, the Lighthouse will make arrangements for them to be sent to another safehouse.
Mrs. Bolin said lights will be replaced and wiring will be repaired. Old plumbing will be updated.
A handicapped-accessible bathroom will be installed, and the existing kitchen will be completely remodeled.
"We are lowering the ceilings in the safehouse to cut down on heating expenses," Mrs. Bolin said. "And we'll put in a separate washroom with a playroom next to it so parents can keep an eye on their children while they are doing their laundry."
After the safehouse is renovated, it will also be redecorated.
Mrs. Bolin said the safehouse is in need of much repair.
"It's an older house with older electricity and plumbing," she said. "So while we're doing that, we're going to do the whole thing."
The renovations will be paid for with a $100,000 grant the Lighthouse received from the county. Work will be done by professional contractors.
Since the Lighthouse acquired the current safehouse about 10 years ago, new air conditioning has been installed and the upstairs has been made into a storage room.
"But we haven't done a lot of major work on it," Mrs. Bolin said.
She added that the renovations will make the safehouse more family-oriented.
"They (domestic violence victims) are going to be coming to a place with a good atmosphere and a place where they're not going to have to worry that the plumbing will break. It's going to be like moving into a nice motel."
The Lighthouse will still be taking donations of household goods, pots and pans, paper products and furniture during the renovation. They may be dropped off at the office at 405 E. Walnut St. For more information or for pickup of heavy furniture, call 736-1313.