Polk center for disabled may close

Shane West doesn't mind going to work every morning, and as a matter of fact, he looks forward to it. He works in the nursery at the Polk Training Center for Handicapped Citizens in Lake Alfred.

The money raised at the garden center helps support day programs for Shane and other folks with physical and mental disabilities.

But the nursery's future may be in jeopardy. Plant sales have plummeted 30 percent since the economy has gone sour. The big contracts are not there any more, and private homeowners are more concerned with paying the bills than giving their home that extra zing that comes with blooming flower beds and a perfectly manicured landscape.

The center has been around 23 years. If the nursery closes, it may have to try and start another business or charge clients about $600 a month to be there.

The center's board hasn't made a decision yet about what direction to take. But that day may be coming sooner than they would like.

In the meantime, they're hustling all their friends to come buy some plants.

"And we just pray a lot ," said Jane West, Shane's mom, and a member of the board.

The nursery at the Polk Training Center for Handicapped Citizens is located at 111 Creek Blvd. in Lake Alfred.