Senior Campus expansion facesdelays due to missing generator

BULLHEAD CITY – Construction on the Bullhead City Senior Campus Building continues to advance, though the project is experiencing significant delays awaiting the delivery of a crucial emergency generator. The expansion, led by construction firm T.R. Orr Inc., aims to add 9,000 square feet to the existing facility, enhancing amenities and services for Bullhead City’s active senior community.
Originally scheduled for completion in August 2024, the project has been pushed back to January 2025 following setbacks in the delivery and installation of a $350,000 emergency generator. Public Works Director Angie Johnson confirmed that the generator is essential for powering the new 7,700-square-foot indoor activity center and ensuring the building can function as an emergency cooling center or shelter during widespread power outages. “It was supposed to be delivered in August, then October, and we’re still waiting,” Johnson stated. “We anticipate the project will be completed by January once the generator arrives.”
The expansion includes a covered outdoor patio of 1,300 square feet, providing a shaded area for outdoor gatherings. The new indoor space will feature offices, meeting rooms, an arts and crafts room, a game room, an exercise room, a small library, and a great room for various activities. These additions are designed to offer a vibrant and engaging environment for senior residents, promoting socialization, active living, and access to essential resources.
The project began with a ceremonial groundbreaking on August 14, 2023, attended by local dignitaries who highlighted the importance of the expansion for the community. Funded by a combination of $2.2 million from Bullhead City’s capital improvements budget, over $1 million from a Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing, and $350,000 from Mohave County’s share of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the generator, the $3.2 million project aims to significantly improve the Senior Campus Building’s capacity and functionality.
City Manager Toby Cotter acknowledged the challenges posed by the delay in the Senior Campus expansion but remains optimistic about the project’s completion. “It was a long wait, but we’re confident the generator will arrive soon, and we can complete the expansion,” Cotter said. He also highlighted the coordinated efforts to ensure that all ongoing projects, including the Optimum Community Center and the Animal Resource Center, stay on track despite the setbacks.
With the generator expected to arrive shortly, the city is taking all necessary steps to expedite the installation process and resume full construction activities. The anticipated completion in January 2025 will mark the culmination of nearly two years of dedicated effort to create a more dynamic and supportive environment for Bullhead City’s seniors.
— Stephan Lightman