Be on the look out for more activities for senior citizens and some recreation programs for the general public at the Oxford Veterans Memorial Civic Center.
Oxford Township Parks and Recreation got the 6-1 go-ahead from the township board last week to begin programming activities and classes for seniors and others in the lower level 28 N. Washington Street, commonly known as the Vets Hall.
‘I’d like to make that area more accessible to more groups in our community for recreational programming,? said Parks and Rec. Director Ron Davis.
The primary focus is going to be giving seniors things that have never been offered in that building such art, exercise, dance and cooking classes plus a computer lab and some much-needed redecorating.
There’s even going to be a belly-dancing instructor coming in to teach the Eastern Mediterranean art.
‘I’ve got it all set up,? said Senior Coordinator Becky Paquin. ‘She’s ready to come.?
Currently, about 28 seniors meet at the Vets Hall a few days a week for lunch, bingo, cards and socializing.
Paquin noted the weekly bingo games will continue. ‘I’m not going to mess with that,? she said. ‘That’s theirs.?
Davis assured township officials the seniors who have been using the facility will be respected consulted and ‘included on everything.?
‘We’re not just going to come in there and steamroll them,? he said. ‘We’re going to keep them involved from the get-go because if those people buy into the program, who better to market the program then the participants themselves. It would be foolish for us to go in there and start changing everything.?
Supervisor Bill Dunn said he appreciated not only what parks and rec. is doing, but how the department’s going about it. ‘I think the way you’re approaching it, it’s going to work in the long run,? he said.
An estimated $30,000 has been earmarked in the parks and rec. budget for staffing to coordinate increased senior programming at the Vets Hall ? $20,000 for Paquin’s position and $10,000 for an assistant coordinator, Donna Martin, 58, who was recently hired.
Martin is a 20-year resident of Oxford, who ‘loves older people,? according to Paquin.
‘She won’t be doing anything else,? Paquin said.
The budget also includes $1,800 a year in rent to either be paid to the township or deducted from what parks and rec. charges the township for lawn mowing and snow removal.
To help offset this $31,800, parks and rec. is planning to seek grants, charge some modest user fees and use the facility for other recreational activities, classes and groups when the seniors aren’t using it.
‘Our key is seniors, during the day and some evenings, but if the building’s sitting empty, we’re going to use it,? Davis told officials. ‘We’re going to program for our residents.?
That didn’t sit well with Trustee Pat Fitchena, who cast the lone vote against the plan.
‘I thought it was for the seniors, period,? she said.
Davis said seniors generally use the facility during the day so, ‘if it’s sitting here empty at night, we’d be foolish not to be opening up the doors to the general public.?
Classes in yoga, fly tying classes, tae kwon do and baby-sitting could all be done at the Vets Hall when seniors aren’t using it. ‘There’s a bunch of opportunities the general public could use it for,? Davis said.
Using the building for other purposes when it’s empty also makes sense from a financial standpoint.
‘The schools are going to start charging the parks and rec. to use the classrooms,? Davis said. ‘So if I can offset some of those costs to offset this, I think that’s fiduciary responsibility on our part to pay down those debts.?
Davis assured the board the seniors will not be forgotten or shoved out of that building. ‘Why would I be foolish enough to take on a $31,000 debt regarding the seniors and then do away with it?? he asked.
Besides, in order to avoid repaying all the ‘hundreds of thousands of dollars? in federal Community Development Block Grant funds that have been invested in the Vets Hall over the years, it must continue to be used for senior citizens at least 51 percent of the time.
‘There’s a ton of money tied up in this building,? said Treasurer Joe Ferrari. ‘I wouldn’t want to get a bill for that.?
Supervisor Bill Dunn wants to make sure another group who meets there seven days a week isn’t kicked out ? Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
‘I’m going to stand up for AA,? he said. ‘They’ve been using it for years. I want to make some room for them.?