R2023-255 Resolution Authorizing Funding Support for Senior Center Services

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In preparation for absorbing the Macon County In addition to constructing a new facility, the Senior Center staff, services, and programs, operational budget for the new activity center will renovations were made to the former clubhouse approach $400,000 annually. The Park District is including creating additional office space and working to secure operational funds from several individual program spaces for counseling and State agencies however we anticipate needing an benefit administration. As we ramp up our additional $150,000 annually from other sources to partnership with the Dementia Friendly initiative, supplement the operational needs of a new center, additional private restroom space with adult The Park District Foundation is working to establish an changing tables is needed as well. As anticipated, endowment for the operational needs and would absorbing the services offered by the Macon ensure the success and longevity of a new senior County Senior Center and expanding other program center with expanded offerings. areas has quickly demonstrated the need for additional space. For many years. the City has funded services for our seniors through the Macon County Senior Center in Expanding the existing clubhouse building was the amount of$71,000. Now that the shared vision explored however constructing an addition to the by both the City of Decatur and the Park District of existing wood frame structure that will meet ADA having a one-stop shop for seniors has begun to be code and provide seniors ease of access proved too realized, additional funding is being requested. We costly. As Engineers reviewed the site at Scovill,a request that the City of Decatur transfer the$71,000 new building that was designed specifically to a year allocated to the Macon County Senior Center to accommodate seniors and their needs, could be the Decatur Park District to supplement and expand constructed immediately adjacent to the existing senior services and programming in Decatur clubhouse The close proximity of the buildings would allow both facilities to collaborate and share Providing for our senior citizens does not clearty fall resources The existing clubhouse would remain to under the umbrella of any one agency here in serve our Special Recreation Association (SRA) Decatur/Macon County To meet this need, it is participants with disabilities. going to take multiple agencies such as the City of Decatur, Macon County, and the Decatur Park Constructing a new facility will allow us to meet the District working collaboratively to address the needs of the largest growing demographic of our challenges that are quickly coming with an aging community, seniors ages 55 & up, however it is population in our Country. The Park District is taking going to require a significant investment. We this challenge head-on, and we request the City anticipate needing approximately 35,000 square continue to provide the existing funding already in feet in a new facility to accommodate the growing place and consider additional funding be allocated to needs of our senior population, support our seniors in Decatur. Looking to position all these services at Scovill Park West, the Park District has applied for and beena preliminarily awarded a PARC grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for$2.8M. It is estimated an additional $3M-$4M will be needed to complete the project. Funding for this , new facility will come from multiple sources including grant funding, Park District Capital «� Development bonds, and private donations.