A preliminary report on a future home for the St. Albert Senior Citizens’ Club and several other community groups projects a future facility could cost as much as $16 million.
The report, from consulting firm RC Strategies, was presented to city council this week and looked at the notion of replacing the seniors’ club with a broader community centre facility that could bring together the club with other organizations like the Youth Community Centre, St. Albert Stop Abuse in Families (SAIF), FCSS, the Air Cadets and several other groups.
The study, which does not have firm numbers, estimated the cost based on the amount of space each group thought they might require for a new home.
The seniors’ club building requires repairs to the tune of $600,000 over the next decade, according to a report the city commissioned in 2008.
With the building no longer meeting the needs of its current membership, the club is not eager to undertake those repairs.
Leslie MacEachern, the club’s executive director, said with the age of the building, it is hard to know exactly how much time it has left, but she does not believe it is a lot.
“We really don’t know, but realistically we are looking at maybe two years.”
The feasibility report presented to council this week recommends the building be owned by the city and leased back to the community groups, who would form an advisory board.
The report suggests this would allow for the best financing rates and address some early problems.
“This would enable the most secure form of facility ownership, likely achieve the best capital amortization rates for the project, and engage tenants in the management of the facility to reduce typical issues around the landlord-tenant relationship,” said the report.
The $16-million price tag is not currently in any of the city’s budget plans.
MacEachern acknowledges there are many other projects on the city’s list, but said with the support the city is giving to all these groups, it could make long-term financial sense to build the new facility.
“I know that it is a big one, but I think as part of the physical study that is going to be done next it will show the long term financial obligations in terms of rent and other money for those organizations.”
She said the seniors’ club would be able to fundraise to help with the project and would qualify for several provincial and federal grants.
The club has faced some very lean times over the last three years. Cash reserves that once totalled almost $200,000 six years ago have been largely eliminated and the club has posted three straight deficits.
MacEachern said this year is shaping up to be a turning point for the club however, and she is already projecting a much better year financially.
“We have been able to secure some more funds and increase our membership and there seems to be a positive resurgence at the club.”
The club is now expected to make the case for a more detailed study as part of the 2011 budget process.
