Willow Glen Resident

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Gardner Community Center seniors will share their space

By Mayra Flores De Marcotte

Creative problem solving between two community centers has given local seniors a place to stay while their leaky roof is repaired.

The Gardner Community Center will share space with the Alma Community Center seniors starting Aug. 21 through Labor Day.

"We're gonna do our best to make room for them," said Gardner gerontology specialist Nasario Gutierrez. "Our main concern is to keep their programs running."

The two community centers have shared space for special events in the past.

Gutierrez said, "You never know what can come of it."

Alma's senior nutrition program along with its senior classes will be moved to Gardner. Even Alma's cooks are relocating.

"We're gonna have fun," Gutierrez said. "It's gonna be neat. We just want to jump in and have a good time. We're looking forward to it."

Alma's leaking roof problem began after an air-conditioning repair company came out to look at the system on July 19.

Alma Community Center includes a multipurpose and a group of offices in a small building. The current system was too cold in the section that houses the offices, according to Liz Ortiz, a San Jose Strong Neighborhoods Initiative community activity worker who operates out of the center.

As a result, a pipe broke on the opposite side over the multipurpose room and water began to leak, Ortiz said.

"It's more a safety concern than anything else," Ortiz said. "Everything else at the community center is in operation."