At its November 19th meeting the City Council will consider approving a proposed floor plan for Coronado’s new senior center. The recommended floor plan depicts a building of 8,300 square feet, which is approximately twice the size of the existing senior center. The proposed plan includes an additional 3,070 square feet of covered porch, patio and deck space and will require the removal of six mature trees in Spreckels Park, which is a designated Historic Resource. The removal of six trees will eliminate 30 percent of the trees to the north and south of the existing senior center and between it and Orange Avenue.
Original Senior Center Survey Results
The basis for the proposed floor plan is a program of requirements. This program is based on a needs assessment that, in turn, is based largely on the results of a community survey. This survey, which is based on a very small fraction of the proposed center’s targeted user base, raises questions about the need for the expansion.
A total of 323 individuals responded to the original, city-sponsored survey. Ninety-two percent of these respondents were 50 years old or older, which is the target group for the proposed facility. These 297 respondents represent four percent of the city’s population of 7,094 in this age group and two percent of the city’s adult population of 15,053. (The population data in this article is taken from Coronado, California Population: Census 2010 and 2000 Interactive Map, Demographics, Statistics, Quick Facts and other census publications.)
This means that 96 percent of the target age group did not respond to the survey, even after it was promoted in the local media, on several websites, as well as being presented at community gatherings and service club meetings.
Within the remaining 4 percent who did respond, roughly one third (109 respondents) has never used the current senior center, while roughly another third has rarely–or never–used the center during the past year. This leaves 96 respondents who are frequent users of the current facility, which is slightly more than one percent of Coronado’s over-50 population.
In response to a question about where they spend their leisure and social time, the number one answer by 76 percent of all survey respondents was at home or with friends. Sixty-three percent indicated the library as their second choice. The third most popular destinations were a local coffee shop and the Community Center. The senior center was the fourth most popular choice.
Thus it might be concluded that even among the 4 percent of the target age group that did respond to the survey, or the 1 percent that actually use the current facility, even this group is not particularly devoted to spending much time in the senior center.
Based on the low participation rate in the survey, and the opinions of those who did participate, it is questionable whether its results are an adequate basis for selecting a floor plan for a new senior center, especially given an estimated design and construction cost of $5,943,000, an estimated annual operating cost that ranges from $265,320 to $276,600 per year, and that will permanently alter the appearance of Spreckels Park adjacent to the library. To measure the feeling of the community on the subject, Coronado CAN! conducted a separate survey over the last few days.
Coronado CAN! Senior Center Survey Results
Coronado CAN! received 149 unique responses to its survey, which is almost half the number of responses to the survey that is being used as the basis for the requirements for the new senior center. The respondents to the Coronado CAN! survey provided their thoughts about membership in the senior center, the priority of a new senior center relative to other city priorities, the proposed increase in the size of the senior center, and whether the City Council should delay a decision pending additional public input.
The results of this survey are revealing.
- Seventy-two percent of the respondents who do not belong to the senior center, or who are not interested in belonging to it, or are neutral on membership, believe that the City Council should gather more input before making a decision.
- Sixty-two percent of this group believes that the proposed center is too large, and
- 51 percent do not believe that it is high priority for the city.
By contrast,
- 68 percent of the respondents who are members of the senior center or who stated that they will definitely become members do not support delaying a decision to gather more input.
- Eighty-eight percent of this group believes that the proposed size of the facility is appropriate and
- 83 percent believe it is a high priority for the city.
Comments by respondents who have little or no interest in belonging to the senior center include the following:
- The “build it and they will come” mentality is not based on any hard evidence or unbiased market research.
- I am a senior and do not believe we need a new Senior Center. The amount it would cost the city is ridiculous, and the loss of trees would destroy the beauty of the park by the library. The number of seniors that use the center is minimal. I was not in favor of the Lawn Bowling…hate to see it empty. Remodel the existing center if you must, but charge for the use of it, certainly more than $1.00, and increase the membership dues to help pay for the cost of the remodel.
- The cost is out of line with the number of residents it will benefit, 2) there is no discussion of parking despite the increase in size, 3) where will the funds to operate the center come from, 4) the location of new building is completely wrong – by being “pushed” up against the edge of the library, and 5) the open space on the library property and trees should remain.
- I love the green space we have now. Please don’t overbuild. We do not want to become LA.
- Please, no loss of trees!
- This is the result of a gift from a wealthy resident’s will. What other uses could we put this fund to, while still honoring the deceased person’s bequest?
- It seems that the Council may be following the motto, “Bigger is better.” and I would not want a maximum loss of green space to occur.
- The loss of green space and trees would be a loss to everyone. The proposed center is too large and expensive. We already have a new community center that provides everything shown on this proposal and more. Since seniors use the community center pool, and since they are a part of the whole community, there is no need to duplicate those facilities. There will not be enough parking in the Orange Avenue area for increased, convenient use by a larger number of people.
In contrast the comments by individuals who presently belong to the senior center, or who indicated that they will definitely join it, included:
- I am a member of the lawn bowling club and use the Senior Center three times a week. Every time I am there, there are groups of people playing cards, relaxing in what they would call the lounge, watching television sometimes in both rooms. The bowling club has no facility to call its own. We have close to 100 members have many tournaments hosting people from all over the world and we cannot even make them a cup of coffee when the Senior Center is having an event. The only reason that seniors want the project delayed is that they are frightened of losing their space for a few months. To them, this is their second home.
- This plan has too much patio and porch. Due to a variety of health problems the seniors need heat or air conditioning. More would use the senior center if more rooms are added. Currently when one activity requires quiet, like a discussion then another activity cannot be scheduled. When senior luncheons are scheduled other activities are cancelled. I am a member.
- I support moving ahead immediately with plans and construction. Coronado deserves this!
- Why is it necessary to study this further? We should go with the recommended proposal without delay.
- The plan as submitted will enhance the life of the citizens in Coronado, and not only “Seniors”. Let’s not delay any further.
- This is needed now!! It will be used more when the building is complete. A lot of us use it now. Many of us walk and do not need parking space.
- The sr population in Coronado is increasing, not declining. There are a lot of trees, but only ONE SR CENTER!!! We are not SQUIRRELS, If a tree or two needs to make way for a proper Center, sad but necessary !!! Please we have done all the necessary steps to make this happen. Please proceed with haste!!!
- I believe the proposed plans are just right and the matter has been delayed too long already. Get the building built while many of us are still able to use it. Enough of this sniping at lawn bowlers and seniors!
In the opinion of the Coronado CAN! Editorial Board, the substantial differences between the responses of the supporters of the senior center and those who have little or no interest in the center argue strongly for additional input before the City Council makes a decision on how to proceed. The design and construction of the proposed facility will cost the city approximately $6 million and its ongoing maintenance and operation will cost more than $250,000 per year. These are substantial financial commitments that will preclude the use of these resources for other purposes, which residents may feel have a higher priority.
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The Residential Reporter is the official publication of the Coronado Community Association of Neighbors (Coronado CAN!). This article is reprinted by permission as part of a collaboration between Coronado CAN! and eCoronado.com to enable residents to stay more informed about civic issues, with the ultimate goal of better protecting and preserving Coronado’s small town character and charm.
To read more articles like this one or learn more about this non-profit, non-partisan, all-volunteer organization, visit the Coronado CAN! website.
Coronado CAN! Mission Statement:
Coronado CAN! works to make it easier for registered voters and residents in the 92118 zip code to be well informed about issues that are of interest to them, to speak for themselves both individually and collectively with the strongest possible voice, and to enhance the communication government depends upon to be able to most effectively serve their electorate, the taxpayers, and the community as a whole. Learn more about Coronado CAN!
