ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Escanaba’s Civic Center is taking steps toward becoming an emergency shelter.
The city’s Recreation Department has spent the last six years securing funding for a new generator. Since installing the generator earlier this month, the department has been working with Delta County Emergency Management and the Red Cross to achieve emergency shelter designation.
“I don’t think a lot of people realize the nearest Red Cross office is in Green Bay, so we don’t have anything local,” said Recreation Director Kim Peterson. “Being considered an emergency shelter will entail the Civic Center facility being open for the certified kitchen, we have the showers, the restrooms, the gym, and the game room. We basically have a lot of open space that we’ll be able to fit several people in case of emergency.”
Peterson believes the generator and emergency shelter status will also create more opportunities for grant funding to be used on facility upgrades. The Recreation Department will be exploring potential grants with Delta County Emergency Management and the Red Cross within the next month.
“We want a fast turnaround, because we are up and running and we want the community to know that,” Peterson said.
Anyone with questions about the Catherine Bonifas Civic Center can call (906) 786-4141. Visit the City of Escanaba Recreation Department Facebook page for updates on this and other projects.
