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Seniors urge larger facility and full kitchen as Hastings council hears update
Summary
Senior-center users told the council the current senior center lacks a full kitchen, has cramped dining space and relies on catered meals; residents urged the city to plan for growth as new senior housing brings more older adults to Hastings.
A group of Hastings senior-center users told the City Council the facility is too small, lacks a full functioning kitchen and increasingly relies on expensive catered meals. The council heard a public presentation and the mayor said staff are actively discussing possible solutions.
Jinx Hackler, who identified herself as a Hastings resident and user of the senior center, told council members that in 2017–18 the center catered about 25 meals, while now the center serves about 150 meals a day, five days a week, using catered meals and home-delivered meal services. Hackler said relying on catered meals is costly and that a full kitchen would allow the center to prepare meals at substantially lower cost and possibly increase congregate-meal participation.
"If they had their own kitchen, they would be able to make those meals substantially less than what they're paying out right now," Hackler said in the meeting.
Hackler and other presenters said the dining area is crowded and that mobility-challenged patrons sometimes sit on folding chairs at the perimeter to eat. They urged the council to plan for a dedicated or expanded senior facility that offers more program and dining space.
The mayor responded that "active conversations" are under way and that he has visited the facility and reviewed Parks & Recreation space. He told the speakers the council is looking at options and said it was "something that we'll get to sooner than later." Another council member asked for patience, noting that funding would be required and that the city must identify sources before moving forward.
Hackler thanked the council for providing space historically and asked that the city act because new senior housing under construction will bring more older residents who will look for local services, companionship and activities.
No formal motion or funding decision was made at the meeting; council members said staff will continue conversations and explore options.
