NATCHEZ — The City of Natchez is considering building an approximately $930,000 satellite senior center at North Natchez Park to expand its services to local senior citizens.

Natchez Senior Citizen Multi-purpose Center Director Sabrena Bartley said Wednesday the extra space is needed as the city prepares to serve seniors citizens who are increasing in number.

According to U.S. Census data, the number of Natchez residents 65 years and older dropped from 3,331 in 2000 to 2,857 in 2010.

Residents 65 and older made up approximately 18 percent of the population in 2000 and 2010, according to census data.

Bartley said she envisions the center offering exercise, cooking, dancing, technology and other classes for seniors.

The city’s senior center, located at 800 Washington St., serves approximately 400 residents.

The center’s services include adult day care, home delivery service for meals, meals provided on-site at the center, elderly and disabled transportation, fitness and educational programs and more.

Bartley said the satellite center will expand the senior center’s ability to serve a more active senior.

“This will be a great opportunity for Natchez,” she said. “More importantly, we will serve a segment of the population that is currently not being served as we prepare for the future (and the) more active senior.”

Natchez Community Development Director James Johnston requested permission at Tuesday’s board of aldermen meeting to apply for a Community Development Block Grant to fund the construction of the center.

Johnston said the plans for the satellite senior center also include refurbishing the pavilion at the park.

The grant would require a $477,180 match from the city, $350,000 of which would be cash and the rest in-kind services.

Johnston requested the commitment of the matching funds, which he said would not be needed until the 2015 fiscal year.

Ward 5 Mark Alderman Fortenbery was apprehensive about approving Johnston’s request because he had not heard the plans for the center prior to the meeting. Fortenbery asked the board be given time to consider the plans, and the board decided to take up the funding consideration at a later meeting.

The board of aldermen gave Johnston permission to schedule a hearing related to the application for the grant in order to meet the grant deadline should the city submit the application.