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Senior Advisory Board plans events and game night options as renovation, bid opening loom
Summary
Board members reviewed upcoming classes, trips and holiday plans, created a special-events subcommittee for game night planning, and were briefed on a renovation bid opening Nov. 16 and a City Council review scheduled Dec. 12.
Senior Advisory Board members in Farmers Branch reviewed a full slate of senior center programs and trips, discussed how a planned building renovation will affect off-site events, and formed a special-events subcommittee to develop options for a game-night series or a single off-site event.
The board heard a program update listing recurring classes and activities: Zumba Gold (Wednesdays), SilverSneakers (Mondays), yoga and balance classes (Tuesdays and Thursdays), Tai Chi (Mondays and Wednesdays), power walking (Fridays) and twice-monthly bingo. The center held a monthly breakfast attended by about 71 people, and an ongoing introductory computer class runs Mondays and Thursdays through Nov. 16. Veterans Day activities are scheduled for Nov. 11. A cooking club session was canceled due to an instructor conflict.
Staff and members discussed trips and logistics: planned excursions typically fit within roughly a 3.5-hour driving radius so participants can complete a day trip within normal operating hours. Board members encouraged volunteers for upcoming events and identified a small roster to arrive by 9:30 a.m. for one event. One member noted a compiled list of nearby museums and attractions that the board will use to plan future outings.
On event planning, staff described options for the board’s annual game-night event in light of the renovation timeline and potential temporary loss of the center building. "If the building's closed, we will need to find an off-site location or limit the number of events," Ashley, a staff member, said; she added that the renovation could leave the center without a building from January and February “all the way past September, October, possibly November, December,” depending on council action. Board members debated whether to host one larger off-site game night this fiscal year or break the event into a three-part series once the facility reopens.
Board members created a game-night/special-events subcommittee to produce two proposals for the full board to consider: a single off-site event and a three-part series timed around holidays and seasonal activities. Tammy, Sharon Lucas and Deborah (last name not specified in the transcript) were named to meet with staff member Jackie to develop those proposals.
Staff briefed the board on the center renovation procurement: a bid opening is scheduled for Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. at City Hall. The plan is to have a contract and related resolution go before the City Council on Dec. 12. Staff reported 16 vendors attended the Oct. 26 pre-bid meeting (up from about eight at an earlier meeting). Board members were told a clearer renovation timeline should be available after the Dec. 12 council meeting.
Other items discussed included recurring weekday activities (including chair volleyball, dance classes and sewing), a schedule of upcoming special events (DIY paint parties, holiday luncheons on Dec. 15, first-aid class, Texas Hold ’em and themed craft sessions), and volunteer sign-ups for the holiday lunch. A board packet deadline of Dec. 4 was announced for additions to the December meeting agenda, and the board’s standard December meeting will be Dec. 14 at 1 p.m., with a holiday lunch to follow.
