BELTON - There was a sense of relief among the regulars of the Belton Senior Center when it was officially announced Monday that ownership of the center had been transferred from the Belton Housing Authority to the Belton Area Citizens for Seniors group.

"It's a great day for the city of Belton, it's a great day for the senior center," Belton Mayor Jim Covington said.

Covington said that during his 15-year tenure on the council there had been numerous issues with the senior center, but it was difficult to deal with the various problems because the city didn't own the facility.

The building, at 842 S. Mitchell, has been the site of the senior center for 29 years and hosts a number of activities, including dances, education programs and daily meals, both at the center and sent out into the community.

"We are here today to announce the gifting has been completed and that the stewardship of the site is now in the hands of citizens," said Dennis Turk, president of the Belton Area Citizens for Seniors.