Corte Madera officials contemplate new center for seniors
The hub might be at a town-owned property or at a leased location.
Corte Madera is considering whether to launch a town-funded center for seniors.
The Town Council directed staff at a recent meeting to research the costs of opening the center at a leased site or at the Corte Madera Community Center.
Town Manager Adam Wolff said he would return to the council with cost considerations and parameters for a partnership with Age-Friendly Corte Madera, a nonprofit organization that is seeking to contribute approximately $300,000 to the project.
Potential cost factors include staffing, construction, agreements with volunteer and nonprofit organizations and timeline for implementation, a staff report said.
“I see this as really an iterative process,” Wolff said. “I view this as really a check-in on the approach.”
Wolff posed three potential options to the council: opening the center in a town-owned facility such as the community center or Park Madera Center; leasing privately-owned space such as 645 Tamalpais Drive for dedicated seniors’ activities; or teaming with a partner organization to rent a space.
Since the pandemic, the town has sought to broaden programs offered to seniors and youths, Wolff said.
The original site of most programs — the former Intergenerational Center at 498 Tamalpais Drive — was operated by Age-Friendly Solutions, a nonprofit. The center has closed.
After the pandemic, programs that were once held at the Intergenerational Center were integrated into classes and programs offered by the Parks and Recreation Department. The space has been restored as offices for the Parks and Recreation Department.
Competition for space at the Corte Madera Community Center has limited programs for seniors, a staff report said.
Tim Barry, the parks and recreation director, said there are 11 regular classes at the community center, including fitness, yoga, bingo and watercoloring.
Pati Stoliar, founder of Age-Friendly Corte Madera, said seniors comprise a quarter of the town’s population. She urged quick progress.
“Please make it happen,” she said. “I am turning 77 this year and I would like to see it in my lifetime.”
Councilmember Fred Casissa said leasing private space would be more expedient in getting the programs up and running. The limitations of town properties and reimagining them for new programs might prolong the process, he said.
“I think it’s on the town to provide services to all its residents,” Casissa said.
Vice Mayor Pat Ravasio said 645 Tamalpais Drive would be the best solution. She said an exercise room would fit in the front and there would be space for classrooms.
“It’s much less expensive than the Town Center would be,” she said, referring to the shopping mall. “I don’t think that’s reasonable.”
Councilmember Charles Lee favored the mall.
“They have motivation to create gathering spots that create community conditions that bring people to that center every day,” Lee said.
Mayor Eli Beckman said he would support leasing a site that would have a broad mandate for people of all ages.
“That intergenerational element of it, it’s better for the younger members, it’s better for the older members,” he said. “It makes it a better experience for everyone.”