Oswego Senior & Community Center seeks $2.2 million to renovate building and add elevator

Montgomery — A representative of the Oswego Senior & Community Center updated the Village of Montgomery board on expanding programs and a capital campaign that would fund renovations to the center’s building, including an elevator and lower‑level improvements.

Why it matters: The center provides health, education, recreation and social services that board members said benefit Montgomery residents. The center seeks private, state and local dollars to complete accessibility and comfort upgrades.

Michelle, who identified herself as a representative of the Oswego Senior & Community Center, told trustees the center purchased a former police station and operates programs for seniors and the broader community. She described current hours (Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.–1 p.m.), more than 100 volunteers, three full‑time staff and four part‑time staff, and a mix of programs focused on wellness, nutrition, education and recreation. Michelle said the center has delivered more than 49,000 hours of service and welcomed more than 32,000 visits in the last year; the center also provided a packet of information to the board.

Campaign and facilities: Michelle said the organization launched a capital campaign in May 2024 with a $2.2 million goal and has raised “more than half” that total from state grants, businesses and private donors. Planned renovations include installing an elevator and improving the lower level to make the facility more user friendly and accessible. She said roughly 30% of annual participants (about 500 people) are Village of Oswego residents; the center also serves residents from Montgomery and other nearby communities.

Board response: Village President Matt Brawley thanked Michelle for the update and presented a small token of appreciation from the board. No municipal funding decision was requested at the meeting.

Notes on sources and numbers: Michelle gave two closely worded references to founding/purchase dates in her remarks (she said the organization purchased the old Oswego police station in February 2002 and later said the organization has been operating since 2009). The center provided a packet of materials to the board with participation statistics; the board accepted the packet for the record.

Ending: The center asked for continued volunteer help, participants and donors and said it is working with a grant writer and lobbyists as it continues fundraising and program development.