GUERNSEY – Taking the job for a $1 fee plus reasonable travel expenses, Bruce Heimbuck, former Guernsey Economic and Tourism Development Coordinator, will be writing a grant at the request of the Town of Guernsey to help build an addition to the library and senior center. Heimbuck said he will do what he can with the funds he is awarded to maximize space, from 2,000 to 3,000 more square feet than is currently available in the shared building.
“This grant has a focus on job creating and retention opportunities,” Heimbuck said at a public meeting welcoming comments from the community about plans for the expansion. He said there will be many elements focusing on that aspect of the grant.
There will be a conference room with wall screens that people can do job training, interviews, or work, from. There will be an ADA bathroom to accommodate, as suggested at the public meeting, disabled individuals requiring scooters. The library will be expanded to include the space used by the offices at the senior center. The senior center will have a larger gathering room than currently is available, and several smaller rooms for staff, as well as career opportunities. In cooperation with Platte County School District No. 2 and a grant Lisa Weigel and Liesl Sisson have obtained, there will be wireless access points, and the library will be hooked up with technology such as iPads and computers.

Another useful feature included in the plans so far is to include a covered area for the Services for Seniors bus to drop off and pick up passengers out of the rain and weather.
One large item that will remain unchanged will be the kitchen. Heimbuck said he would not have the money to re-construct the kitchen, and after visiting with staff at senior center, the kitchen works well and is how they like things to be. The basement will also stay as it is. “I will not have the funds for that,” he said.
There were many ideas presented for Heimbuck to consider adding into his proposal. In the end, the town will commit to provide matching funds for the grant in the form of the land they own, as well as an additional $300,000 if needed.
The idea to expand the senior center has been kicked around for nine years. To this end, the town purchased the lot next to the senior center/library and recently asked Heimbuck to head up the grant and oversee the project. “I want to preserve the historic brick and glass of the original building,” Heimbuck told the gathering. “I liked the way it looked when it was a bank or the dry cleaners. Anyone with photos of the old building the way it looked in the - I want to see it,” he petitioned, “And if anyone wants to write a letter of recommendation, please sent it to town hall.”