If plans by Mayor Richard Rumpf and the village board come to fruition, reopening the Magdalena Senior Center two weeks ago would be just the first step in a series of upgrades to the center.

At its July 24 meeting, the Magdalena Village Board of Trustees approved a resolution that could result in future improvements, such as an extension of the building and carports for the vehicles.

According to Mayor Richard Rumpf, Resolution 2023-15, “Adopting the FY 2025-2029 Infrastructure Capital Improvements Plan,” is specific to the community’s senior center and is not connected to the village’s principal ICIP, approved at the previous meeting.

“So, this is separate from the regular one we do,” he said.

Rumpf said these capital outlay appropriations are made to the Aging and Long-Term Services Department to fund senior center projects, statewide to both local government and tribal governments.

“Allowable projects include new construction and renovations, including equipment, and for the purchase of vehicles,” Rumpf said. “An appropriation request, if approved by Aging and Long-Term Services, goes to the Department of Finance and Administration’s Local Government Division and then would have to be approved by the legislature.”

The 2024 session runs from January 16 through February 15.

He said the agency suggested possible improvements the 16-year-old facility would need in order to best serve Magdalena seniors in years to come.

“The first part talked about putting in an addition on the west side of the building,” he said. “This is so we’d have more room for a dedicated exercise room. Seniors have expressed a desire for more privacy when they exercise. We could also move the pool tables and TV in there, and it would give the main room more space.”

He said available space would be a 760-square-foot extension to the existing structure.

“It would be 38×20 feet and extend out to the easement on Main Street and use the same sight lines as the main building,” Rumpf said. “We can’t go to the back any further because the grease pit for the kitchen is there.

“We’re looking roughly at $260,000,” he said. “I’d like to put that as the number one item.”

Number two on the priority list is a carport at a cost of $18,000.

Other possible upgrades the trustees discussed during the public hearing involved the parking lot and the kitchen.

“What I’m looking at is construction money to remove the chip seal on the southside of the center and put in concrete,” Rumpf said. “And that’s where the handicapped parking should be. Also, add a wing wall coming out by the door so it’s usable on that side. A lot of wind catches the door forcing the seniors to walk around to the other end of the building.”

He said two small windows in the building also need to be replaced.

“I also want to put a wood fence on the back side of the building to block the dumpsters from the wind,” he said. “When the wind picked up the last time, they were blown about 150 feet away from the building and spread garbage.”

The improvements and upgrades notwithstanding, Rumpf commended the County of Socorro for maintaining the building since it opened in 2007.

“The county had done due diligence,” he said. “They did a very good job with improvements over the years. I know they redid the kitchen and the flooring. They put in LED lighting and replaced the swamp cooler with AC units.

“We’re fortunate that we’ve inherited a good structure,” Rumpf said. “I walk around it frequently, and there are no obvious structural problems.”

He said at last count, 30 people are showing up for on-site meals and, “I think they’re up to 11 hot food deliveries.

“The feedback is, people like the food,” Rumpf said. “People have also been coming in for morning coffee.”

The Senior Facility ICIP must be submitted to the state by Sept. 8.

“This is not etched in stone,” he said. “Next year, we can fine-tune it if need be after the legislative session.”

John Larson, El Defensor Chieftain