By now you likely have read and heard a lot about the Town’s plans to build a new Senior Center.  What you likely have read and heard little or nothing about is the Town’s plans to build a new Adult Community Center, a place which will house both a new athletic facility and a new Senior Center.  

This combination provides both needed space in town for indoor gymnasium sports (plus an elevated walking/jogging track) with modern facilities for numerous essential services to seniors and attractive/inviting space for seniors to engage in activities that are both age and interest appropriate. I am reminded that the gym will also be available to our youth, after hours.

So far as using better what Adult Center space we now have, well. No more mixing of the computer training area and conference space as is done now in our Adult Center.  No more mixing of the workout machines, the ping pong tables and meeting tables/chairs as done now in our current Adult Center.  No more squatting down to use the rest room equipment designed for fourth graders, as is done now in our Adult Center.  No more putting up with failing HVAC equipment, as is done in our current Adult Center. The seniors need something better!

This Adult Community Center will meet the needs of all of Longmeadow’s adults, but first it needs to be built.  We’ve talked about and done planning work for a new senior center for at least four years now. This is the time to move forward and take action.  The dollar sign is big – about $8.5 million for the Senior Center and $5.5 million for the Athletic Facility – 14 million dollars total. The result will be worth every dime expended!

I ask that you vote for the Adult Community Center at the town Meeting on Tuesday May 8  vote YES on Article 14. (Please note that Article 14 calls the new Adult Community Center the “Council on Aging Facility” – same thing!

Roger Wojcik
Longmeadow