SPENCER, Iowa – Spencer’s new activity center for senior citizens opened in January after a long stretch when its future was in doubt.
It was two years ago that Spencer Area Activity Center needed a new home, but lacked the million dollars necessary to build one, and had little hope of finding anything at any affordable price. The Center could no longer afford the maintenance fees on the facility that had been its home at Gateway North mall for the previous 14 years.
Martin Gustin, a retired school principal-turned SAAC chairman, explained at the time that the SAAC couldn’t afford the more than $3,000 monthly maintenance assessment for the common areas of the former shopping mall. Revenue from BINGO, the group’s main source of income, fell from $160,000 per year to only about $36,000 due to competition from area casinos, along with the statewide ban on smoking, he explained.
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But, Spencer Area Activity Center Chairman Tom Manley said more recently, that’s where Spencer Community Schools Superintendent Greg Ebeling, Spencer’s City Manager Bob Fagen, “and the entire community stepped up to the plate” to provide area senior citizens a new home away from home -- a place for area senior citizens to socialize and enjoy a noon meal together.
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Fagan “was a very instrumental piece of this whole puzzle,” Manley added. “When we sat down and talked about our financial condition and where we were headed, he got on board and talked to a lot of groups and was very instrumental in finding a new home for the senior center.
“But it was truly a community effort – not just city or county, but the school district, and many individuals as well.
The school district, the city county, county board of supervisors, and Clay County Foundation all provided substantial donations to the $800,000 project, Manley explained.
Spencer school superintendent Greg Ebeling said the $800,000 was about 50 percent recouped in several different ways including tax credits.
“We were trying to find a good use for the facility. If the school had to tear it down because no one was interested, it would have cost the school close to a million dollars. That would have been pretty expensive to have just a bare lot,” he added.
The school district now leases the entire main floor of the former school to SAAC. Community Housing Initiative owns the top two floors of the tree-story building, where it has created 16 apartments and several commons areas from the old classroom space. And the school district still owns and maintains an adjacent 1,000-seat auditorium and a gymnasium in what was part of the former school building
The senior center shares handicapped accessible rest rooms with the school district on auditorium side.
“It’s a prime example of a many resource groups coming together to assist -- to help – seniors,” said Manley. “That’s important because it is noted that the more seniors can become involved in activities, it helps their longevity.
“It’s tremendous how entire area pulls together – not just one entity.”
SIDEBAR / COMPANION PIECE
New SAAC bigger and better
By Russ Oechslin, For the Journal
SPENCER, Iowa -- Since its opening in January, the Spencer Area Activity Center has seen an increasing number of visitors each day. And SAAC Board Chairman Tom Manley explained, the number of meals served by Cabernet Catering is up. “They tell me the food is really good, too.”
Center Director Mary Ann Harden has a vast expanse to oversee in the SAAC’s new home.
In addition to the new dining room, there are two pool tables in one game room that also has exercise equipment, a card room that sees five or six Bridge games each afternoon, and a library with hundreds of donated large print books, computers, and huge energy-efficient windows
“Even on a dreary day it’s a very pleasant room – a nice toasty room --- to just sit inside and watch the snow – just no brandy or cigars,” Harden explained.
“Most of our seniors are pretty proficient on a computer – and regularly use exchange e-mail with their kids and grandchildren and friends.”
The center also has its own popcorn machine that’s used mostly during the BINGO games.
In addition to its paid staff, the SAAC depends on many volunteers like Dennis Fossum, a retired high school and college instructor who has helped with dishwashing chores for about 10 years.
Helen and Roy Stroud, who moved from Estherville to The Highlands in Spencer more than 10 years ago, frequent the SAAC “for the social aspect and lunch, along with Bridge at least every Monday and Thursday,” Roy Stroud explained over lunch recently.
Stroud added that he had “a full-time job” when he was on the SAAC board and the Center was trying to vacate the former facility, look for money and re-locate.
Seek new ideas and funding
With its increasing numbers, the SAAC is looking for new programming suggestions – new ideas to increase participation even more. Hours are being adjusted and different activities are being offered.
In addition to the lending library and a place to work on jig-saw puzzles and develop new friendships, Manley said he expects more activity in the pool room, where there are tournaments on the horizon.
The need for money to support the new Spencer Area Activities Center continues.
“Since we only opened in January we don’t really have a handle on how much it is going to cost us to operate our new facility,” SAAC Chairman Tom Manley explained recently.
“It’s too early. We just bought this car.
“Should we charge admission – a per diem, or a membership fee to use the facilities? We’re not a government agency. We need to cover our overhead. BINGO revenues and donations, even with some money from area cities and the county are not near enough to maintain the place.
“How are we going to keep the place going? We have to figure that out. That’s one of the reasons we left where we were. And we don’t want to get in that trap again.”
