Middleton Senior Center prepares for demographic changes and facility upgrades

The Middleton Common Council meeting held on June 3, 2025, focused on significant developments regarding the city's senior center and public library, highlighting the growing needs of the community's aging population and the evolving role of public libraries.

Tammy Derrickson, director of the Middleton Senior Center, presented a historical overview of the center, which has served the community since 1956. She emphasized the increasing demographic shift, predicting that by 2040, one in five Americans will be aged 65 or older. This trend is mirrored in Middleton, where nearly 44% of the population is currently between the ages of 30 and 64, indicating a future rise in demand for senior services. Derrickson reported a notable increase in participation at the senior center, with nearly 49,000 sign-ins recorded in 2024, reflecting the center's growing importance as a community hub.

Derrickson also outlined the center's ongoing efforts to enhance facilities, emphasizing the need for improved accessibility and safety features to accommodate seniors with mobility and cognitive challenges. She argued that a well-funded and updated senior center not only enriches the lives of older adults but also helps reduce healthcare costs by delaying the need for long-term care.

Following Derrickson, Jocelyn Sansing, the local public library director, discussed the library's evolution and its critical role in the community. As the library approaches its centennial in 2027, Sansing highlighted the need for modernization to meet current demands, including ADA compliance and expanded space for programming. A 2015 feasibility study indicated a need to triple the library's size to better serve the community, a goal that remains pressing as neighboring communities advance their own library expansions.

The meeting also introduced various options for future development of the library and senior center facilities. Justin Boweig, chair of the community campus committee, presented several proposals, including renovating existing buildings and constructing new ones to better serve the community's needs. The committee is exploring options that would keep the library and city hall together while providing a separate space for the senior center, addressing the desire for quieter environments among older adults.

The discussions underscored the importance of strategic planning to accommodate the anticipated growth in the senior population and the evolving expectations of library services. As the city moves forward, the council will consider community feedback on these proposals, aiming to create facilities that enhance the quality of life for all residents. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further engage the community in shaping the future of these vital public services.