2012-11-26 Community Center Task Force Final Report

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Review of Previous Studies The Task Force studied the work done by prior committees. We examined the reports on the adequacy of the existing senior center and on the need for a teen center, both long- standing and difficult issues in Lexington. These reports are still relevant today, so we did not attempt to redo their work. We also looked at reports from the Vision 2020 Committee, which manages the Lexington 2020 Vision process of community conversation and long -term planning. What did we learn from these studies? Senior Center Studies There is a long history of advocacy for updated facilities for Lexington's seniors. Though the need for a new senior center has been recognized, the lack of an appropriate facility or available parcels of land has prevented progress on this effort. • Reports consistently identify problems with the Senior Center physical space • Space, age (adults -only) and time (M -F 8:30 -4:30) limitations restrict desired programming November 26, 2012 Final Report 8 Senior Center Timeline 1976 Senior Center first opened at the Visitor's Center 1978 Senior Center moved to two rooms at the Church of Our Redeemer 1985 Senior Center moved to Muzzey Condominiums (intended as temporary location) 1998 First attempts to establish permanent location for the Senior Center 2000 Town Meeting approved "$50,000 for site analysis and schematic drawings" for a new Senior Center 2000 Senior Center Siting Committee established 2001 COA Siting Committee established 2002 Board of Selectmen approved investigation of North Street site 2003 Re- evaluation Advisory Committee established 2005 Senior Center Action Flan Committee established 2006 SCAPC released its report 2007 Town Meeting approved a feasibility study to evaluate the 'White House' site 2008 Report on the findings of the feasibility study by Borgmann Hendrie + Archetype 2009 Board of Selectmen delay decision on use of 'White House' site Senior Center Studies There is a long history of advocacy for updated facilities for Lexington's seniors. Though the need for a new senior center has been recognized, the lack of an appropriate facility or available parcels of land has prevented progress on this effort. • Reports consistently identify problems with the Senior Center physical space • Space, age (adults -only) and time (M -F 8:30 -4:30) limitations restrict desired programming November 26, 2012 Final Report 8