01-02-1992 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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A regional Senior Center was deemed either a "top priority" or a "major priority" by fifty- one percent of the residents of the four communities. An additional twenty-nine percent called it a "minor priority. " But, only twenty percent were aware of the Regional Senior Center Proposal. When queried about facilities to include, residents pointed to four major components: thirteen percent felt seniors should be able to "eat, recreate, meet and exercise; " eight percent felt it should provide dining opportunities, while a similar number felt it should provide social opportunities; and seven percent thought that medical services should be included. The major programs which should be offered, according to respondents, were meals, social opportunities, transportation, exercise, and counseling. An overwhelming seventy-five percent would support the constiuction of a Regional Senior Center; only fourteen percent opposed it; in fact, twenty-nine percent. would "strongly favor" it. Supporters were motivated by the perceived need for the Center, while opponents did not see a need and worried about already high property taxes. Solid majorities of usually eighty percent or higher supported the inclusion of each proposed facility for inclusion. Eighty-nine percent supported both an arts and crafts room and - a game room. Eighty-eight percent felt similarly toward a kitchen and kitchenette. Eighty-five percent favored an exercise and fitness room, while eighty-four percent were similarly inclined toward a large multi-purpose room for congregate dining and rental opportunities. Eighty-one percent endorsed a small library reading room and lounge. And, seventy-three percent were favorably disposed toward classrooms and meeting rooms. The highest priority, at fifty-seven percent, was assigned to the large multi-purpose congregate dining room; the kitchen and kitchenette ranked second at thirty-two percent. Only one facility registered a moderate degree of opposition, at fourteen percent: a small library reading room and lounge. In general, then, the potential facilities nicely meshed with the perceptions of area residents. This last fact was particularly important, since seventy-nine percent of the sample indicated they were at least "tome-- , e - l - to support the proposal if it contained__the features whey most favored. Seventeen percent of sample reported there were members of their household or nearby relatives who would be "very likely" to use the facility. An additional twenty-five percent indicated family members and nearby relatives were "somewhat likely" to do so. Using standard projection techniques, thirty-two percent of the households in the area contain family members or have nearby relatixes who would use a- well-pubs icized Regional Senior Center. The average resident would be willing to drive 12 . 4 minutes to reach the Regional Senior Center. Most potential users were Locating the center outside of 3r. the 6-15nminute :drive :range. � the city of residence of the user was not a major obstacle: only 2