Date: 7/21/2021
The Town of Wilbraham began its efforts for the proposed senior center building long ago. The committee’s report was published in October 2012 and found that the current senior center was inadequate. The town’s senior population in 2012 was 30 percent of the adult population and estimated to potentially grow to 46 percent.
In October 2019, the Senior Center Building Feasibility Committee report was issued. The committee reviewed 20 potential sites including Memorial School and unanimously agreed that the location that best satisfies the identified needs is the town-owned property behind the current Town Hall at 240R Springfield St.
All the various committee reports and meeting minutes are available to the public at large, the process and determinations are well documented.
On Nov. 18, 2019, a motion by the Board of Selectmen was issued to move to establish a Proposed Senior Center Building Committee to advise and assist in determining the time, expenses and operating costs associated with a proposed senior center at the site selected by the Senior Center Feasibility Study Committee located at the parcel of land at 240R Springfield St. I am one of the nine members of the Proposed Senior Center Building Committee.
Our town leadership and many members of our community have committed themselves to fulfilling the recommendations provided by the Needs Study and Feasibility Committee reports.
Like many of our surrounding communities, the selection process thoroughly evaluated all the options and recommended the best path forward for all of the community. It has been 10 years since the inception of this process; there have been no shortcuts or predetermined outcomes. I am confident knowing we are on the right path as the other communities following similar processes have also concluded that the best option was to build a new senior center facility.
I recommend scheduling a tour of one of the many new senior centers in the surrounding communities. Ask what other options were investigated and why they determined a new facility was the best option. See what health and welfare services are being offered and learn how it is benefitting the overall community. Envision what a great investment a new facility would be in and for the people of Wilbraham.
The next step in the process is to obtain the Wilbraham community’s favorable vote in the fall to proceed with a new senior center building at the 240R Springfield St. location only. That would allow the Proposed Senior Center Building Committee to move forward to design a facility that fulfills the needs of the town and its residents that were identified beginning in 2012. Like the communities surrounding us, much evaluation and effort has been expended identifying that a new facility is the best option forward. This will only add to the desirability of living in our town.
The Wilbraham Senior Center Building Committee welcomes your questions and comments. We can be reached at seniorinfo2021@gmail.com or by leaving a voice mail message at 596-2800 extension 315. Watch for our next letter on “creating an environment for an aging adult.”
Theodore Sowa
Wilbraham
