Consultants find strong usage but gaps in outreach, space and transportation at Anacortes Senior Activity Center

Consultants who conducted a community needs assessment for the Anacortes Senior Activity Center told the City Council on Monday that the center is widely used but faces limits on space, outreach and transportation.

The Burke Consulting team presented findings that included two surveys — 317 responses from active center participants and 881 responses from the broader older‑adult community — and a set of short‑, medium‑ and longer‑term recommendations for programming, partnerships and data collection.

The report matters because it quantifies who uses the center, identifies barriers that keep other seniors from participating and offers concrete steps the council and partners can take to expand services and plan for future facility needs.

Burke Consulting project manager Maddie Immel told the council the study began in September 2024 and drew an unusually large response: “This is a huge response rate,” Immel said, noting the 881 community responses…