Baxter-Curren addresses function going forward

CLOVIS — Based on the crowd at the Baxter-Curren Senior Center’s Thursday board and business meeting, it’s safe to say the center was missed during the year-plus shutdown forced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the center’s first meeting of any type since the pandemic began, board members addressed a crowd of nearly 75 people with optimism for the months ahead and a picture of how the private-owned center would function when a new city senior center at Hillcrest Park opens sometime next year.

Board President Jeff Greene led the meeting full of various announcements, including the return of breakfast to the center 8 a.m. Thursday.

“If everybody shows up that’s here today,” Greene said, “it’s going to be a blast.”

Greene said the breakfast, and all events at the center, would succeed as long as there was participation. Board members encouraged attendance at a 9 a.m. Aug. 19 board meeting and a 5 p.m. Aug. 23 business meeting that would elect the next slate of officers. Baxter-Curren rules traditionally require members attend two or more meetings during the prior year to vote or run for office, but it was agreed that requirement would be waived given the circumstances.

City Manager Justin Howalt answered various questions on the upcoming senior center at Hillcrest Park and tried to dispel fears its opening would lead to Baxter-Curren’s closure.

The city, Howalt said, is waiting on a bond sale from the state in order to acquire the $5.2 million for construction of the 16,000 square foot Phase I. After the bond sale in August or September, there would still be bidding processes and the construction period.

“Ballpark figure,” Howalt said, “we’re still a year and a half out.”

The center at Hillcrest would replace the 13,341 square foot Friendship Senior Center, which Howalt said the city would repurpose. The first phase of the Hillcrest Center includes the Curry Resident Senior Meals Association meal site and kitchen, offices and various recreational rooms. Future phases, once funded, would add additional rooms for miscellaneous activities.

The Baxter-Curren building is privately owned, but the 800 block of Hickory Street it sits on city-owned land. The current lease agreement stipulates the city, which previously housed senior services staff offices, covers the utilities for the center and has a program coordinator on site.

Howalt said once the Hillcrest center is open, it would no longer keep a program coordinator at Baxter-Curren and the center would be responsible for utility costs. Howalt later told The News paying utilities at a building it doesn’t own could run afoul of the state’s antidonation clause.

In response to multiple questions, Howalt reiterated the city had no goals to shut down Baxter-Curren, and that it should still serve seniors along with the Hillcrest center and La Casa for years to come.

“Once we open the (Hillcrest) center,” Howalt said, “it’s up to you to be as successful as you want to be. Your board is doing fantastic work on your behalf.”

During a financial report, the board said it had about $51,800 combined in its bank, checking, CD and money market accounts.

Greene said a new sign-in sheet would include a spot for email addresses, and the center would try to send out a communication every few weeks about upcoming programs. The center would also provide updates on its Facebook page.

Members cautioned each other against assuming the worst, following repeated questions based on the premise the city planned to shut down the Baxter-Curren center once its new center opens.

Brenda Hankins, a now-retired senior program coordinator, said to seek out city commissioners, Senior Service Committee members and Baxter-Curren board members for information.

“Ask the person who knows,” Hankins said. “If you don’t know, don’t talk to your friend who doesn’t know. Talk to somebody who does.”