Expansion of the Garden City Senior Center was discussed at Saturday’s capital budget meeting. A proposal to expand the Garden City Senior Center on Golf Club Lane was one of the biggest issues generating discussion at the January 21st capital budget plan meeting.

Kevin E. Ocker, chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Cultural and Recreational Affairs, explained that there are approximately 6,500 to 6,700 residents over the age of 60 residing in the Village. “Whether we are thinking about making more space or we’re thinking about doing more programs, we’re just being a little visionary because that number isn’t necessarily going to go down, and it’s a significant number of people in our population here in the Village,” Ocker said.

The current 2,000-squarefoot center is not large enough to accommodate this growing population. In addition, the bathrooms are not compliant with the American with Disabilities Act and are not wheelchair accessible. The kitchen is small and outdated. Other nonsenior community groups utilize the building on occasion.

Ocker said there are no drawings yet for the expansion, but it is expected to increase to 2,200 square feet at a cost of $250 per square foot. He said a list of senior programs would first be developed, and then architectural plans would be drawn to meet the need. A plan was developed in 1991, but is no longer relevant.

Garden City resident Richard Bankosky said he was speaking on behalf of a liaison committee formed after several senior group representatives met with Ocker and Deputy Mayor John Watras in October. The liaison committee is comprised of representatives from the Retired Men’s Group, the Seniors at St. Paul’s and two senior bridge groups. The committee gave a list of capital and operating requests to Ocker and Watras in November.

Bankosky said there are more senior citizens nationwide. Locally, he said there are more seniors living in Garden City and estimated that they comprise 33 percent of the population. People are living longer and more seniors are choosing to remain in the Village, even if it means downsizing to a smaller home or apartment.

“I think the Board has to start thinking differently than they have in the past, and we hope that happens,” he said.

Bankosky said the current center, built in 1976, is outdated and too small to accommodate all of the groups. Many want to use it at the same time, which is not possible at the center. Walls cannot be constructed because it will cut off bathroom access.

He said some members of the Board of Trustees are currently looking at the possibility of building a recreation center at St. Paul’s, which would appeal to the younger generations.

“Many of the seniors are frustrated....They feel they are being ignored,” Bankosky said.

Judy Courtney, president of the Eastern Property Owners’ Association, is concerned with the request for funds for this purpose and would like to see usage numbers for the current center.

“I struggle a bit with spending a significant amount of community dollars for upgrading a building that is controlled and used 95 percent by one specific interest group,” she said.

Courtney said perhaps money would be better spent to build a facility that would be for everyone’s use, with a space designated for seniors.

Ocker responded that the expanded senior center usage would change, and include more programs. “No one has a leasehold on that building,” he said. “It’s a whole mindset of a true center where there would be other opportunities and it would be open to all.”

George Salem, co-president of the Retired Men’s Club, supports expansion of the senior center. He said Garden City would receive an “F” when it comes to the facilities and programs it currently offers to its senior citizens.

“In fact, seniors are treated as second-class citizens and black sheep who have never really raised their voices and asked for fair treatment,” he said. “Garden City seniors are sick and tired of being ignored and taken for granted. They are owed plenty from prior years of neglect.”

Ocker responded that the Village budget includes $3,000 to $4,000 for senior programs. Maintenance of the current senior center costs the Village $25,000 to $30,000 annually. Trustee Dennis Donnelly added that the Board has never turned down a request for funding for a senior program.

“We need requests so we can do something,” added Second Deputy Mayor Episcopia.