For Concord to become a more trusting, civic-minded, livable city, its older residents must play a bigger role, two community leaders told a group of senior citizens last night.
And one way to make that happen is by building a multi-generational community center, said Mayor Jim Bouley and New Hampshire Charitable Foundation President Lew Feldstein.
Bouley and Feldstein addressed about 60 seniors who gathered yesterday evening at the West Street Ward House, the Centennial Senior Center's new location.
They spoke from different perspectives: Bouley said he wanted to hear seniors weigh in on the city's long-term plans, while Feldstein encouraged seniors to help young people learn the benefits of civic engagement.
Feldstein spoke of rebuilding social capital, the idea that "who you know matters" - a resource that makes communities safer, happier and healthier, but one that's been on the decline for decades, he said.
"We've got to change that trajectory," Feldstein said. "And that's what this center is about."
The city council set aside $95,000 in this year's budget to undergo a study of Concord's four community centers, one of which is the West Street Ward House. The others are on Green Street, on the Heights and in East Concord.
All four are old. "Truthfully, folks, these buildings, many of them have lacked a lot of attention, a lot of love, over the years," Bouley told the crowd last night.
Besides evaluating the community's needs, the upcoming study will assess the cost of maintaining the current centers as the city moves toward making its recreation department programs self-supporting. The city could decide to close all four centers and build anew - possibly one citywide, multigenerational center, or two centers to serve the east and west parts of town.
Matt Walsh, the assistant city manager for special projects, said yesterday he expects that study to be completed nine months from now. The project is out to bid, and Walsh said he wants to spend $80,000 on the study, with the remaining $15,000 going to select a site.
But "no matter what" path the city takes with the center, Bouley said, "it's going to be multi-generational."
On their way out of the ward house last night, several seniors called the center a good idea. But they expressed some skepticism.
"It would be wonderful," said one man, "but who's going to buy it?"
Beckapalooza: half revival, half AA meeting has reached 25 comments. Join the discussion!
BOSTON (AP) -- Officials in New England's coastal areas…
NASHUA, N.H. (AP) -- William Smart, who was devastated…
BANGOR, Maine (AP) -- Two men are free on bail after…
Comments
Senior Center
By littlecitygirl - 10/09/2009 - 10:25 amAnd boy do we all miss the therapy pool!
to vote
Last evening at West Street Ward House
By concerned_senior - 10/09/2009 - 10:17 amIt appears that the only connection between the current proposal for the Centennial Senior Center and the former Centennial Senior Center is the logo. As a senior, I figure we've paid our taxes over the years for existing parks and rec programs in Concord. We have catered to other age groups with our taxes. Why can't we use the existing funds from the demise of the Centennial home and former Centennial Center for its original mandate?
Once again, the Centennial Senior Center gets hoodwinked on a side trail.
There was no discussion or Q & A about issues pertaining to the demise and administration of the former Center. I don't see that those issues have been resolved or have gone away.
1. What happened to the capital funding and why aren't we advised about it?
2. What happened to the regional facility and why is it now only part of Concord? Participants who used the facility came from Hillsboro to Pittsfield, and from Potter Place to Hooksett and Dunbarton, with most towns in between?
3. What happened to all the existing programs that got left in the dirt with the precipitate closing of the former center? How can these be regained?
4. What happened to the pavers and the other assets generated by participants in the center, as donated by the Squires and others?
5. Why the lack of communication to former participants?
6. Who is on the new board and how did they arrive there?
7. Why was the evening spent dealing with side issues, and not the SENIOR mandate of the original funding?
8. What has happened to the Mission Statements of the Centennial Home AND the original Centennial Senior Center? They say nothing about "multigenerational."
9. We were told that the former Center closed because of tax-paying status in the City of Concord, it was not deemed non-profit. How and why did this change and why did they put us out of business? Is it or is it not a non-profit organization and how did status change?
10. The needs of seniors vary from year to year -- even at the old center it was possible to have 3 generations of seniors in the same family, at ages 50, 70, and 90. Aging isn't a "one shoe fits all" situation, it's a process. Bette Davis quoth: "Old age isn't for sissies."
We paid our dues and done our time. "Social Capital" or intergenerational mix and match of the same facilities and funding, has noting to do with the original mandate of the funds from the old Centennial Home, nor the funding of the original Centennial Senior Center. The Y, the Racquet Club, all the sports teams, Parks & Rec, school sports and continuing ed programs and others provide support for the younger folks. So why can't we have ours? Hopefully, most citizens will have to face the unique needs of aging. Can't we do it in our own place where we aren't competing for funding or program time or appropriate equipment and facilities?
concerned_senior
to vote
What about seniors?
By kraftypat - 10/09/2009 - 8:20 amThis was supposed to be an open house for the Centennial Senior Center. But the article does not provide any information about the Centennial Senior Center.
Instead, it seems to be an article about the Concord Recreation Department and its plan to have a so-called multi-generational center (whatever that is).
So seniors are once again going to be given the shaft.
Other people (younger adults, teens, and children) all have their own places to hold their activities. Seniors are not going to have that opportunity once they get this multi-generational thing going. I honestly don't think this is a good idea. Younger people already have gyms, rec halls, playgrounds, Boys & Girls Club, school activities. Why can't seniors have just one place where they can exercise on appropriate equipment, play whatever games they want to play, have time and space for other interests etc. and NOT be forced to share their one and only space!!!!!
Pat Kraft
to vote