Senior center is back on the table

There will be an article on the April 2 Town Meeting warrant asking for $140,000 to design the new building.

But some residents want more than a senior center, and are pushing for a multipurpose building that would be available to the entire community.

To try to get a sense of what those needs are and whether they could be met under one roof, the town’s Senior Center Building Committee will sponsor the second of two public forums at 7 p.m. Monday in Town Hall.

“What we’re trying to do is flesh out what it would mean to the community in terms of use,’’ said Michael Gowing, chairman of the Board of Selectmen. “Are we talking about a place where toddlers can gather or a place with a swimming pool? It could be a gathering room or it could be something really organized. I’m hearing stuff that’s all over the place, and that’s why there needs to be some coalescing of some ideas.’’

Some senior citizens say they would be happy to share space in the evening and on weekends, but prefer to have exclusive use of the building during the day, said Sharon Mercurio, director of the town’s Council on Aging.

Mercurio said she thinks the older residents need space for themselves, and might get squeezed out by other groups in a shared facility.

“My concern is seniors getting pushed aside,’’ she said. “I can see the space getting smaller and smaller. Seniors don’t tend to advocate for themselves.’’

Paulina Knibbe, a Senior Center Building Committee member who is spearheading efforts to get community input, said initial plans three years ago called for the new building to serve primarily as a senior center, but with community access in the evening and weekends.

She said the committee identified town-owned land near NARA Park for the proposed center. The preliminary design developed three years ago called for two wings - one designated for seniors, and a second that could be used by seniors during the day for meals and classes, but would be available for community groups at other times. The community wing would have a kitchen and large space that could be subdivided and used for activities like Boy and Girl Scout meetings and exercise classes. Knibbe said the estimated construction cost would be about $7.5 million.

But when the economy soured, town officials decided to put the plans on hold and wait for a turnaround. Last spring, the Board of Selectmen decided it was time to revive the plans so they would be ready for construction when the town’s finances improved in a couple of years. In the meantime, officials working on the town’s master plan started hearing more requests from residents for a community center, Knibbe said.

She said she has heard a wish list that includes space for nonprofit or community groups, arts and crafts activities, exercise classes, arts performances, toddler programs, dance classes, a basketball court, putting green, volleyball court, and a pool. She said some are looking for the equivalent of a YMCA.

Knibbe said the question will be whether residents want to pay for a building with all those amenities, as well as whether it can coexist with the senior center.

“Some people want a more substantial community center with a senior center part of it,’’ Knibbe said. “There is a process that needs to happen for the town to see if they can fit together.’’

Town officials say they are well aware of the shortcomings of the existing senior center, including its size and location.

The Audubon Drive facility consists of one activity room and a dining room, and is at the top of a steep hill, without ample parking, Mercurio said. Officials say they need more space for programs and a kitchen area to provide meals for the town’s seniors.

“Given the restrictions of limited space and parking, we’re not able to offer programs at the same time,’’ Mercurio said.

There is also no privacy for health screenings or personal consultations, such as estate planning, Mercurio said. The podiatry clinic takes place in the dining room while meals are being set up, she said.

“We don’t have drop-in space,’’ she said. “We don’t even really have a place where they can sit and get a cup of coffee.’’

There is a kitchen, but the property’s septic tank restrictions limit the Council on Aging to preparing just one meal a month on-site. Mercurio said she knows more seniors would visit the center if her agency could offer more fresh-cooked meals.

“That’s a huge draw,’’ she said. “Seniors don’t tend to cook for themselves a lot.’’

Knibbe said the town’s elder population is growing even faster than expected, so a center to meet their needs will be the priority as planning moves forward.

“The seniors want to make sure their needs are being met by whatever we do,’’ Knibbe said. “The primary driver is the needs of the seniors.’’

Jennifer Fenn Lefferts can be reached at jflefferts@yahoo.com.