Town council heard loud and clear on June 25: more space, more funds and a central location are on the wish list for Seniors On The Bow (SOTB).
Town council heard loud and clear on June 25: more space, more funds and a central location are on the wish list for Seniors On The Bow (SOTB).
The appeal to council for an annual operating grant of $35,000 for the 2019-2021 budget years was delivered by SOTB treasurer Keith Boothe, who made the case that the 372-person membership continues to grow and is looking for more support from the town for the non-profit to continue its mission to alleviate loneliness faced by seniors and give back to the community through programming and volunteer initiatives.
Boothe highlighted that SOTB’s expenses have outpaced its revenues, largely due to more staffing . They were also impacted in 2016 and 2017 by the construction of the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre (SLSFSC) expansion, where the SOTB Centre is located on the second floor since relocating from downtown for the bigger space in 2011.
From 2011to 2016 the town phased out having the seniors programmer as on-site staff position for SOTB. The position is now provided and paid for by SOTB.
Without an operating grant, SOTB projections reveal that this year will result in an $11,000 shortfall and $26,000 next year.
At this time, SOTB does not receive direct funds from the town. The town budgets $200,000 toward the SOTB Centre, which funds the facility rental from SLSFSC and the programmer who is paid directly by the town.
The town employs a full-time off-site programmer through Family and Community Support Services, who programs the SOTB Centre and manages external bookings. The SOTB has a staff member who oversees day-to-day operations and is paid through their annual budget.
Central Location
Mayor Jeff Genung asked Boothe outright if the seniors would ultimately like to move to a more central, downtown location.
Without hesitation Boothe indicated that this would be ideal and that their membership is impacted by their current location – an onerous journey for seniors with mobility challenges.
“We would love to move back downtown with a ground floor location,” said Boothe, adding that increased square footage from their current 5,000 square feet and a commercial kitchen that could be shared among a number of user groups would be on that wish list.
Genung advised SOTB to get a concept plan underway outlining what the seniors’ needs are now and into the future.
“It’s no shocker that our seniors want to be downtown ... they were talking about it during the election,” said Genung, reflecting on the first municipal election forum last fall that was held by SOTB at SLSFSC.
Genung helped his grandmother into the car to drive down to the facility, across the parking lot and upstairs. Noreen, who turned 97 this month and is still active and able-bodied, was tired by the time she arrived and opted to only stay through the first half of the mayoral debate.
“It just hit home for me,” said Genung. “I think we have a real opportunity with the Tri-Site Concept Plan.”
The Tri-Site plan is the town’s undertaking to examine the future of the current library site, the Esso Bulk Station site across the street from the library and the entire former pool site and Lions Park along 5th Ave.
Genung has hinted multiple times that he would like to see innovative plans to incorporate user groups such as the Lions Club, SOTB and the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area - who are seeking expanded youth centre facilities - to be central to how these public service sites develop.
As the guest speaker at the Rotary Club luncheon on June 26, Genung also revealed his enthusiasm for Cochrane to look at the Halifax Central Library as a possible model. The innovative, award-winning architectural centre had two million visitors in its first year of opening and is a multi-user space including recording studio facilities and a plethora of art and cultural additions beyond books.
The Cochrane Public Library has made their case for a larger library to keep pace with town growth and rising memberships.
Genung has also indicated he would like to see the Lions rodeo grounds remain where they are.
