Construction of a senior citizens' and community center for residents of the Norwin School District is moving closer to reality.

Members of the volunteer Norwin Regional Recreation Committee -- composed mostly of elected officials -- unanimously agreed to accept $50,000 in preliminarily approved grant funding and $5,000 pledged collectively by North Huntingdon, Irwin and North Irwin.

The funding includes a $15,000 Department of Conservation and Economic Development grant via state Rep. James E. Casorio Jr., D-North Huntingdon, and a $15,000 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant through state Sen. Bob Regola, R-Hempfield, which will be administered by Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation Department.

North Huntingdon had pledged $4,300, Irwin $600 and North Irwin $100. The school district was not asked to contribute.

"A certain sense of pride is created by working together toward a mutual benefit. That pride is woven into the fabric of the Norwin community," said committee Chairman John Bales, who represents Chapter 3221 of the American Association of Retired Persons.

The committee also unanimously selected consultant Environmental Development to do a feasibility study for the community center that would serve the three communities in the school district. The cost of this study, which will include a mail survey of about 30 percent of the 34,000-plus adult residents of the school district, will be $31,000.

"We certainly have the ball rolling toward building a community center," said North Huntingdon Commissioner Lee Moffatt, a committee member. "The survey is crucial. Results will dictate the kind of facility the community will end up with."

North Huntingdon is the designated fiscal agent for the project. The township is the applicant for all grant funding.

"I'm excited that the community center project is finally moving forward," said Commissioner Dave Herold. "The township is committed to make it happen. Senior citizens and residents of the Norwin community have waited a long time to have a community center with amenities they can enjoy."

Irwin Councilwoman Danyce Neal said: "The feasibility study will help us assess the recreational needs of our three communities and evaluate the possibility of building a facility. The reality of a community center is still a long way off, but now we've got a heck of a jump on making it happen."

"I agree," said school director Jeff Rutkowski. "The idea of building a community center to fill the needs of a growing Norwin community is long overdue. I like the aggressive effort our committee has displayed to make the project a priority."

Mr. Lenhardt said: "No site for the community center has been mentioned. But it will be built somewhere in North Huntingdon. There are no large parcels of land available in Irwin or North Irwin."

Possible sites are a 30-acre tract adjacent to the 84-acre plot that houses the township Public Works complex, and Scull Elementary School off Brush Creek Road near Irwin. The school district will vacate that school following the 2008-09 school year.