By Brittany Anderson
Correction: KASZ received $200,000 from the county, not $20,000, as previously written in the headline and first paragraph.
KYLE — The local senior activity center is continuing to grow, both in its membership and meeting space.
The Kyle Area Senior Zone (KASZ) received a $200,000 check from Hays County, presented by commissioners Mark Jones and Debbie Ingalsbe, during its weekly luncheon on Sept. 6.
KASZ is a nonprofit organization formed in 2006, offering seniors a place for connection and community through its various recreational, social, health and educational programs and activities, weekly luncheons, volunteer opportunities and more.
Its latest project, a new senior center, is slated to be 35,000 square feet and located by Linebarger Lake, behind Tobias Elementary and off Creekside Trail, offering more space and opportunities for community engagement. Currently, KASZ is headquartered in downtown Kyle at the Krug Activity Center.
The new building will be tied into the connective Vybe trail network in Kyle and offer more accessibility options, a larger kitchen, more meeting spaces that will be open to other local groups and the ability to be rented out for private events.
KASZ communications director Ellen Ermis explained that the shovel-ready construction documents cost $600,000. Along with Hays County’s donation of $200,000, the city of Kyle has also donated the same amount. In 2021, KASZ approached Kyle City Council to help with its efforts, and the city agreed to match the $200,000 contingent on the county and organization each raising another $200,000.
KASZ has raised $150,000 out of their $200,000 goal through rummages sales, auctions, BBQ plate sales and more, and continues to raise funds for the kitchen and to finish out the construction documents.
Ingaslsbe said when the project was first introduced, the building was in her precinct, but following recent precinct re-drawings, it is now in Jones’. However, the two, she said, work well together.
“We just want you to know that we’re here for you, and if there’s anything we can do to help you, please call on us,” Ingalsbe said.
“This is a great group. … Y’all have grown this organization; y’all have done a great job with the work on this building. I know you’re going to do a lot with this little donation we gave you,” Jones added.
