East Columbia 50+ Center Expansion Project Waiting On Funding

Columbia MD

31 March, 2021

4:57 PM

Description

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The East Columbia 50+ Center expansion project moved one step closer to fruition with the inclusion of funding in the county's fiscal year 2022 capital budget, which will be sent to the Howard County Council for a vote April 1. County funding will total $5.5 million while state funding will equal $1 million. "The East Columbia 50+ Center is a critical resource for our aging residents and our community," Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said at a news conference Wednesday. "As we've seen throughout the past year, a community center that allows our older residents to connect, learn and thrive is a key component to a high quality of life. For our aging residents, this center is overdue. The time is now to ensure that they have the resources, support and care needed to thrive." The project design for the expansion began in 2018 and the architectural design work was completed in 2020. Ball included the East Columbia 50+ Center in his fiscal year 2021 capital budget to advance construction, but it was removed by a majority in the Howard County Council. The East Columbia 50+ Center was identified as one of the top priority projects in a master plan for the office on aging and independence. The plan noted that 40 percent of Howard County's older adult population resides in East Columbia. The neighborhood also is made up of a diverse and vulnerable community that includes 86 percent that are 60 years or older, 7 percent below the poverty level and 35 percent that live alone. "This will be part of an essential network of places and spaces leading the county's effort to become one of the nation's best age-friendly communities," Jenna Crawley, administrator for the office on aging and independence, said. "Our communities of older adults are among the fastest-growing in the county and this new facility will help to support our vibrant, active neighbors who are seeking new opportunities in fitness, career, lifestyle and social engagement." The existing East Columbia 50+ Center has 3,800 square feet with a capacity of 60 and is the only center without access to a dedicated fitness center. Its total attendance pre-pandemic was nearly 17,000 annual visits and more than 32,000 visits to use fitness equipment. The current 50+ space is insufficient to offer other programming to meet the needs of the community. The 50+ Center expansion project would increase the square footage to 29,600 square feet and will include: A commercial kitchen to support a congregate lunch program and provide capacity for addressing food insecurity issues for all populations. A large community meeting space to support meal programs, events and community meetings. A technology hub for virtual program offerings and connectivity across sites. A social day program for at-risk adults in the central and most densely populated part of the county. Expanded programs in art, lifelong learning, languages, physical fitness, evidence-based health promotion, intergenerational, consumer protection, civic engagement, advocacy, employment and volunteerism. A fitness equipment room and exercise studio to support healthy aging to maintain the optimal health and independent living of older adults. Equipped with a generator and can help serve the community during emergencies. If the proposed county funding is approved by the County Council, construction of the 50+ Center could begin as early as August 2021 with a projected opening date in the spring of 2023. "East Columbia is an underserved community, and this pandemic has been brutal for older residents," Fran LoPresti, a 50+ steering committee member, said. "This is a lifeline for our physical and mental health as well as a needed place to heal and recover."