Orange County NC Website
1 <br /> 30 <br /> bond, large enough to borrow private funding. Payments could be made in part from <br /> income from other occupants of the Galleria until such time as the Senior Center needs <br /> the space for the following: <br /> 1. More meeting rooms for classes. Currently we are not able to provide space <br /> for all the activities we would like to schedule. <br /> 2. Adult day care. The only facility now available is Charles House which can <br /> accommodate only a small number and at prices higher than those most in need <br /> can afford. <br /> 3. A fitness center for exercise classes and exercise equipment. <br /> 4. A place for Peer and Shared Learning, a program involving over 300 seniors <br /> which is now located at Binkley Church and the Church of the Reconciliation. <br /> 5. A bridge and bingo place. These are activities that could continue around the <br /> clock if space were available. <br /> AND <br /> 6. A medical clinic for seniors. UNC Hospitals is ready to explore the possibility <br /> of staffing such a facility if space becomes available. <br /> 7. Space for the new Institute on Aging. Interest has been expressed in the new <br /> Institute's having a base of operation in proximity to the Center for research <br /> involving local seniors. <br /> IV. Another option is to build a completely new Center. Is the County prepared to bear <br /> the cost of a new site and a new building? This is now being done in a number of <br /> counties across North Carolina. Nearby Chatham is a good example, having constructed <br /> a large and beautiful Center(in partnership with some private gifts). <br /> There is much to be said for keeping the Chapel Hill Center where it is. The Center is <br /> established and easily located. It is on a bus line and is in a racially and economically <br /> neutral place. We have demonstrated our ability to attract the full range of seniors, from <br /> the privileged to the poor. Despite the image of affluence among Chapel Hill seniors,the <br /> majority of those who participate are on fixed, marginal incomes. <br /> I IMPLORE YOU TO EITHER INCLUDE FULL OR PARTIAL FUNDING FOR THE <br /> CHAPEL HILL CENTER IN THE BOND ISSUE OR GIVE TO CHAPEL HILL <br /> SENIORS SOME ALTERNATE PLAN TO ENSURE THE FUTURE USE OF OUR <br /> FACILITY BEFORE THE VOTE IN NOVEMBER. CHAPEL HILL SENIORS WILL <br /> BE MORE WILLING TO SUPPORT THE COUNTY OWNING ALL THE OTHER <br /> SENIOR CENTERS IF THERE IS SOME ASSURANCE THAT THE COUNTY HAS A <br /> COMPARABLE CONCERN FOR MAINTAINING A CENTER IN CHAPEL HILL. <br /> If we are serious about adequate long range planning for older adults in Orange County, <br /> we need to move forward on this now. Otherwise we may end up taking a major <br /> backwards step from which it would take a long time to recover. The Chapel Hill Senior <br /> 28 <br />