Park City Seniors push for larger center, ask county to reserve furnishings and support staffing

Representatives of Park City Seniors told the Summit County Council Wednesday that membership and programming have expanded rapidly and urged county support for a planned new senior center and related housing.

Elizabeth Novak, a Park City resident and board member, framed the presentation around research, programming, partnerships and a strategic vision, saying the senior center reduces isolation and improves quality of life. "We submit that the Senior Center is the solution," Novak said, describing member growth, expanded programs and partnerships with Summit County Health Services and local media outlets.

Presenters said membership was 496 as of Aug. 31, 2023, an increase of roughly 70 members from four years earlier; they said fewer than half of members are Park City residents and many are "in the pipeline" as younger age cohorts move into senior eligibility. The board asked the county to help furnish and equip the future facility and to consider recurrent staffing support: Park City Municipality has set aside $3.5 million but presenters said that amount will not complete construction for an estimated 27,000-square-foot center attached to senior and workforce housing.

Kelly Jacobs, identified in the presentation as the senior centers program director, described new web tools and program growth (42 programs in January2023 year-to-date) and said the center currently offers meals two days a week and wants to expand operations gradually to five days a week by 2026.

Council members asked for more detail on financing and timeline; presenters said a meeting with city staff on Oct. 10 should clarify size and budget and that the MOU between county, city and seniors is still being negotiated. Council and staff discussed the importance of equitable county support for multiple senior centers across the county and flagged the need for a fuller package (site plan, costs, timeline) before committing furnishings or recurring funding.

The council did not take formal action but council members said the topic will be part of upcoming retreat discussions on seniors and housing, and they asked the senior board to return with more detailed cost and timeline information for council review.