Alternative overlooked for Bigfork Senior Center
Having read the article by MacKenzie Reiss Dec. 13 about possibilities for a new facility for the Bigfork Senior Center it seemed to me Shane Jacobs, the architect representing A & E Architects did not evaluate all the possibilities for a Bigfork Senior Center facility. One very good alternative was omitted, namely a joint arrangement with the new Bigfork library facility. Why? Was he told in advance not to consider this possibility? Or, did A & E Architects simply overlook this reasonable alternative? Members of the Bigfork community deserve to know.
In these challenging times, I can understand the commissioners’ desire to be frugal with our tax dollars. The senior center does serve a relatively low population, but that isn’t the complete picture. Many of the seniors who might be involved cannot get to the senior center because they lack transportation or are unable to drive because of physical limitations. Previously, I have conferred with county officials about this concern. To date they have been unable to develop a suitable solution. Regardless, the senior citizens of the Bigfork area deserve to have Flathead County provide an adequate facility for us — we pay taxes too!
It is my current understanding, based on a recent discussion with a member of the ImagineIF library board, the library foundation would be willing to provide the land for a senior citizen center adjacent to their facility at low or no cost to Flathead County. This synergistic relationship would provide seniors with dual access: to programs and meals at the senior center; and the programs and resources of the library. Thus, it would benefit patrons of both organizations. With that in mind, the funds from the sale of the existing property could be used for the construction of the building and furnishing equipment inside.
In summary, if the current site is too costly to tear down and rebuild new, as one commissioner has indicated, then at least the possibility of an association of the senior center and the library ought to be evaluated. I ask the architect to go back and evaluate a joint use relationship between the senior center and the Bigfork branch of the ImagineIF library. How would this alternative would stack up against the other alternatives? A majority of the board members of Bigfork Senior Center feel their first choice would be to stay in the current location with the construction of a new facility. Their second choice would be to co-locate with the library. Let’s have all the options for a new facility evaluated for cost and the ability to meet the needs of seniors. The needs of the senior citizens of Bigfork should not be swept under the rug!
—Chris Hagar is President of the Bigfork Area Association of Senior Citizens