Natchez Board of Aldermen voted this week to move forward with the first phase of a plan to renovate the Natchez Senior Citizens’ Multipurpose Center.

The city will use about $215,000 in community development funds from its agreement with Magnolia Bluffs Casino to match what the city hopes to receive from a Community Development Block Grant through the Mississippi Development Authority.

This first phase of the renovation plan addresses what city officials call the most critical infrastructure needs of the senior citizens’ center.

Seniors who make use of the multipurpose center attended the board’s public hearing on the matter in force earlier this week, urging the city to move forward with the plan.

No doubt the Natchez senior center needs renovations. It’s located in a 102-year-old building.

However, with the recent acquisition of the property known as the bean field, located near Natchez High School, along with the proposal from the city’s recreation committee to earmark a considerable amount of casino funds over a number of years to build and operate a swimming pool for city and county residents, it would behoove city, county and civic leaders to come together for a more comprehensive conversation about the long-term needs for recreation for all of our area’s residents.

Apparently, a recreation plan exists for the Natchez area. However, that plan never moved past the planning stage.

Any recreation plan should take into account the needs of all of its citizens, young and old.