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Veterans group offers pool tables and memorabilia as Gardner senior center plans move; city may provide $1M for improvements
Summary
Board discussed a donation of two commercial pool tables and framed veterans' regalia for the new center, estimated moving costs for tables, and staff said the city may allocate about $1 million toward center improvements at the Waterford Street School site.
Board members at the April 7 Gardner City Council on Aging meeting discussed a donation of two commercial-grade pool tables and framed veterans' memorabilia from a local veterans group, and reviewed preliminary capital funding for improvements at the Waterford Street School site.
A staff presenter said the veterans group offered two pool tables and that the donor was willing to keep the tables at the donor's site until summer, which would align with the center's planned move. Staff asked the board to consider recommending acceptance of the donation and to allow display of framed flags and regalia in the new center. "Part of the donation are 2 pool tables. . . I told them to take them, but I obviously wanted to run by the board first," the presenter said.
Staff provided a cost estimate for moving and refurbishing the tables, roughly $1,800 per table from the vendors consulted, and noted there are already three comparable tables at the current location. The presenter said one of the existing tables likely will not be reusable for the move; the plan under discussion would leave the center with four usable tables after the transition.
The board also heard that the city has advanced planning and a potential capital allocation for site improvements: staff said the city has identified funds and "it looks like about a million dollars could be coming to the center improvements" at the Waterford Street School, though the formal process and final numbers are still pending. Staff said some exterior work (new front doors, new electrical) is already in progress and that formal site visits and walk-throughs remain premature while construction continues.
Board members discussed curating the veterans' items in a tasteful manner and possibly rotating displays seasonally. Staff noted community partners have offered other amenities (outdoor pavilion, portable pickleball mats) but said those projects are premature until the facility move is further along.
The item was discussed; the transcript records no formal motion to accept the donation at this meeting but staff asked for the board's input and indicated a formal recommendation could be placed on a future agenda.
