Arlington Heights senior center gets funds for backup generator

If a catastrophic disaster hits Arlington Heights, the senior center will be the place to go.

Rep. Carolyn Krause of Mount Prospect announced on Thursday the center will receive a $200,000 grant to pay for a backup emergency generator.

The generator will be used to cool or heat the center at 1801 W. Central Road if power throughout the village were lost, Krause said.

"In the event of a power outage, the emergency generator will continue to provide electricity to heat or cool the senior center, ensuring that residents always have a safe place to go," Krause said in a news release.

Karen Hansen, manager of the senior center, said backup generators cost between $300,000 and $500,000 and that the center will probably look for other grants to fund the generator's remaining cost.

The state grant is from the department of aging, Hansen said.

"We are absolutely happy to hear about this grant," Hanson said. "We're in the process of getting ready to install it now."