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Winters council authorizes CDBG application to add senior center onto community center
Summary
Council voted to direct staff to pursue a CDBG grant and pursue a combined senior-center addition to the downtown community center, citing lower local match needs than a standalone building and broad public support from seniors and volunteers.
Winters City Council voted March 17 to authorize staff to submit a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application and to pursue adding a senior center onto the existing downtown community center.
The council took the action after a staff presentation outlining two options: a standalone senior center estimated at about $6.5 million and a combined addition that would leverage the CDBG grant (about $3.3–$3.5 million as discussed by staff) while limiting the city's required local match. City Manager Jeremy Craig introduced the item and Eric (staff member) presented floor plans and design options for a multipurpose lounge, storage for tables and chairs, a new commercial kitchen, and reconfigured bathrooms to meet the 2026 building code.
"You're gonna get a completely renovated community center and a brand new senior center addition to it," Eric said, describing the proposed layout and benefits of shared parking and amenities. Council members asked about drainage, generator placement and making the roof "solar ready" so panels and battery capacity could be added later. Eric said drainage and HVAC relocation would be addressed in construction drawings and staff would work to incorporate solar-readiness where feasible.
Several members of the public, including longtime senior-center volunteers, praised the combined option for downtown accessibility and ADA improvements and urged the council to seize the grant opportunity. Karen May and Kate Radish both described years of work on a senior center and said the combined approach would reduce duplication while keeping services downtown.
Council member Lauren moved and Council member Casadecchia seconded the motion to receive the staff report, direct staff to pursue the combined community-center senior addition, authorize the 2025 CDBG application and permit the mayor to sign required documents; the motion passed with all present voting aye.
Staff will return with final plans and the application materials; the council's authorization allows staff to finalize floor plans with the architect and submit the CDBG application ahead of the April deadline.
