Candidates at a Lafayette forum discussed what should happen to the current senior center building if a proposed bond measure provides a smaller dedicated space for older adults at a renovated recreation center.

"The senior advisory board has requested that they not have a net decrease in square footage," said Anne Marie Jensen, reporting advice she heard from a member of the older-adult advisory board. Multiple candidates said the city should consult the Older Adult Advisory Board and preserve or expand programming rather than reduce space.

Why it matters: The bond under discussion in candidates answers would combine upgrades to multiple city facilities. Sitting council members and candidates said older-adult programming is growing as Lafayettes population ages and argued against a net loss of space for those services.

Candidates suggested approaches including keeping both the current senior center and a new smaller space at the rec center while evaluating programming; locating senior services closer to South Public Road rather than concentrated at one end of town; and using new city facilities (city hall or rec center) as additional program sites. Several candidates said the city should ask older adults what they want rather than imposing a top-down plan.

Context and limits: Several candidates said they are constrained from commenting on bond specifics or would defer to advisory boards. No formal action was taken and no funding decisions were made at the forum.

Ending: Candidates consistently recommended community-driven planning and engagement with the Older Adult Advisory Board to preserve or expand services and avoid reducing square footage for older-adult programming.