Lewisport Police Chief John Garner approached Hancock County Fiscal Court
Monday evening about the old Medical Center building in Hawesville. He
wanted to know if the court would allow it to be converted into a fitness
center for Emergency Services personnel. Hancock County Judge/Executive Jack
McCaslin suggested Emergency Services examine the building first.

"It's getting in bad shape," McCaslin said. "Besides, we haven't got a
quitclaim deed yet."

Garner said Emergency Services expressed interest in the portion of the
building that housed Dr. William Nance's practice, not the whole building.

McCaslin said the building needs work to convert it into the use suggested.

He also said if Emergency Services decided to use the building, they needed
to knock down interior walls to make room for equipment, as well as remove
water lines. He gave Emergency Services permission to examine the building.

The move comes about due to new requirements by the Kentucky League of
Cities, the Department of Criminal Justice, the Kentucky Association of
Counties and also Homeland Security. Changes pushed by these agencies
transformed the Chief's Association, which primarily concerned Fire
Department Chiefs, into an organization that includes all emergency services
personnel.

As part of this change, the Kentucky League of Cities and the Department of
Criminal Justice now strongly urge all local emergency services personnel to
meet certain physical fitness requirements, Garner said. After learning of
the requirements, the Chief's Association started brainstorming locations
for such a center, and somebody mentioned the old medical center.

The association wants its own fitness center because the varied shifts the
employees work make it difficult, or impossible, to attend commercial
fitness centers. A fitness center for EMS personnel, complete with key-card
access, allows them to work out at any time of the day or night.

McCaslin said if EMS examined the building and decided it worked for their
purpose, they needed to put equipment in it.

"If we get a building we think we can use, we will get some equipment,"
Garner said.

Hancock County Sheriff Dale Bozarth said the facility did not need much
equipment. He said it needed a treadmill, some dumb bells and other type
equipment. He then quipped that he owned a treadmill at his house that no
one used, and would donate it to the center.

"Are there any monies to pay for rent?" McCaslin asked.

Garner said yes, that the Department of Homeland Security possessed several
grant programs. Garner said he expected finding funding for the center to be
a small hurdle. Finding a suitable building in Hancock County is the biggest
obstacle at this point.