NEWS FILE PHOTO Aaron Nelson, manager community connections and support, sits in the entrance at the Veiner Centre. The city is commencing a consultation process about the future of seniors' services.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
The city is commencing a consultation process about the future of seniors’ services.
Throughout the month of December, residents will have a range of opportunities to share their thoughts, ideas and opinions through an online forum, a survey and two community consultations.
The first consultation will take place on Dec. 12 at the Veiner Centre from 3-5 p.m.
There will be another on Dec. 17 at Medicine Hat Public Library from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
In August 2016 city staff were directed by council to examine alternative operating models, along with associated operating costs, as part of the seniors’ centre development project.
The annual cost of operating the Veiner and Strathcona Centres is $1.42 million.
Aaron Nelson, manager community connections and support, says that budget does not include the cost of the portion of the Strathcona Centre used for the swimming pool and related facilities in the building. He also says it does not include the cost of offices used at the Veiner Centre that have nothing to do with seniors. A specific amount on how much revenue comes in from membership fees and renting out meeting of rooms at the Veiner Centre was not immediately available on Thursday.
“This community consultation process will help improve the selection and quality of programming offered and determine if an alternate governance and operating model is better positioned to deliver services, and do so in a way which reduces the need for contribution from the tax base,” a press release from the city says.
Nelson says seniors associated with the Veiner Centre, and some who are not, were selected for one-on-one interviews as part of the consultation. There are also four focus groups made up of between eight and 12 people.
“What we’re really looking for is the values of the community around seniors’ services,” said Nelson. “It’s more about trying to find out what motivates peoples’ experiences.”
Once the community consultation is complete, staff will evaluate the feedback and explore alternative operating models. A recommendation will be forwarded to council in the spring of 2020.
