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Carlsbad Senior Center reports program growth, transportation award; longtime recreation manager to retire
Summary
Staff reported steady program participation, 50–60 volunteers supporting about 60 daily home‑delivered meals, and a county award of 900 additional transportation units through June 30, 2025; staff praised a driver who helped a participant receive emergency care and a recreation manager announced retirement.
At the Nov. 7 meeting of the Carlsbad Senior Commission, Recreation Supervisor Andy Koehler delivered the department report, summarizing October programming, volunteer activity, recent spending and a county award to expand transportation services.
Koehler said the senior center is "holding steady" in participation and highlighted popular offerings such as Tai Chi, a sold‑out Birch Aquarium excursion and new seated Zumba trials. She reported that the senior center's special revenue fund balance stands at $317,110 and noted modest extra revenue from the fitness room (reported in the meeting as about $10.12). The commission discussed how the special revenue fund is used, with staff explaining those dollars typically underwrite events, free programming and maintenance items that are not self‑funding.
Koehler said the home‑delivered meal program serves roughly 60 participants per day and is supported by about 50–60 volunteers; volunteers also perform wellness checks during deliveries. She told commissioners that, because of rising transportation demand, the county awarded the senior center 900 additional transportation units (about 450 round trips) to be used through the current contract term ending June 30, 2025.
Director Lancaster and others praised bus driver Derek Crockett, driver Rosa Ramirez and Recreation Supervisor Andy Koehler for a recent on‑route response: staff found a participant at home after multiple call attempts, rendered assistance, contacted an emergency contact and ensured the participant later received hospital care. Director Lancaster said that timely staff intervention contributed to the participant receiving necessary medical treatment.
The meeting also included an extended staff recognition and an announcement that recreation services manager Mr. Clarko will retire at the end of the year; staff said recruitment is underway and they aim to have a replacement on board by the commission's next meeting on Feb. 27, 2025.
Commissioners asked staff to bring budget information to the February meeting and to provide biannual progress updates on items in the work plan.
