JACKSON TO LOOK INTO COMMUNITY CENTER

The city of Jackson will kick off the new year by appointing a task force to determine if the city needs a multipurpose community center. Mayor Paul Sander proposed the task force and will name about 30 Jackson residents to it at Board of Aldermen meeting Jan. 6. The board is receptive to the idea.

Jackson is enjoying significant growth, and the city just might find a need for a community center. Perryville will build one soon, and Cape Girardeau is completing its Osage Centre, which should open in March.

The mayor hopes the task force can reach some conclusions on the feasibility of a center in about eight months. If a need exists, a consultant would be hired to work out a plan. It would be a year and a half to two years before Jackson could enjoy such a facility.

City officials likely will find sufficient interest in building a center. If a feasible financial plan can be put into place, there is no reason Jackson shouldn't have one.