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Old School board offers building as possible senior center; commissioners raise location and cost concerns
Summary
Representatives of the Old School presented a proposal to use part of their building as a senior center. The board described existing upgrades and outlined estimated HVAC and accessibility costs; commissioners and current senior-center representatives expressed concern about moving away from downtown and the expense of improvements.
Members of the board of the Old School presented a proposal on Sept. 30 to offer the north side of their building (music room, kitchen and lunchroom areas) as a potential site for Chase County's senior center.
Leanne Kester, president of the Old School board, described improvements already completed — electrical upgrades, recent roof work and occupied apartment units in the building — and said the portion offered includes a commercial kitchen with a walk-in cooler and freezer, three exterior entrances, and a ramped connection to the gym. Kester said the group could make a walkway between the lunchroom and music room and add an accessible restroom. She provided contractor estimates for heating and air-conditioning upgrades that totaled in the high tens of thousands of dollars depending on system choices; she cautioned that the listed figures represented higher-end options and that not all elements would be required concurrently.
Commissioners and senior-center staff raised concerns about the site's location and accessibility. Several commissioners said many seniors and downtown businesses favor keeping the senior center on Main Street, noting that downtown foot traffic and proximity to services (post office, bank, courthouse) support the current location. Commissioners also noted the gravel parking and winter snow-plow priority for the proposed site — concerns for seniors with mobility limitations — and questioned whether the county should invest in substantial improvements to a building it did not own. Senior-center representatives said staff and members prefer remaining downtown and that parking and walkability matter to their users.
Kester said the Old School board would not expect the county to fully fund improvements and suggested options such as long-term lease, partial sale with nonprofit proceeds reinvested into the 501(c)(3), or seeking grants to finance modifications. Commissioners asked staff to consider the proposal, review costs and possible funding sources, and offered to visit the building if they wished to evaluate space in person.
No formal action was taken during the meeting. Staff and commissioners asked for additional information about costs, ownership arrangements and grants before any commitment would be considered.
