Belgrade senior center reports membership surge, trips, garden setback and therapy-dog plans

At the July meeting of the Belgrade Senior Center Advisory Board, senior center manager Lisa Beattie reported that the center’s activity and membership levels have grown substantially: May–June totals included about 2,100 Meals on Wheels deliveries and 1,600 congregate meals, and the fiscal-year total approached 26,000 meals. Beattie said membership receipts exceeded the $6,500 budgeted figure and totaled more than $10,000.

"When Dave started that first year, the 2017–18, he did 9,356 meals congregate and meals on wheels combined. ... That's insane how much we've tripped. Almost 3 times," Beattie said, describing steady growth in members and fitness units of service.

Beattie also described a gardening setback after volunteers applied an excessive amount of coffee grounds to raised beds, which she said killed the soil and left underlying mud that does not drain. Volunteers and staff have been working to correct pH and restore soil; Beattie said the center will likely rebuild the beds this fall and will check grant rules before using grant money to replace soil.

The manager highlighted recent programs and outings — a trip to the Helena Heritage Museum, a petting zoo visit, a spa day, a Gates of the Mountains trip, guest speakers (including a local author and speakers on tax reductions and caregiving), and an expanding caregiver-support group led by Marty Lewis. Beattie said senior-living providers such as Bozeman Lodge, Park Haven and The Springs will be invited to give informational talks about options and costs without commercial promotion.

Beattie announced Remy, the center’s therapy-dog candidate, passed a level‑1 therapy certification. Staff are finalizing a policy to bring Remy back into programming and Northern Lights has offered a preliminary visit to show how the dogs were trained.

Board members praised staff for the range of activities and fundraising efforts, including a planned "ice cream parlor" fundraiser at the fall festival and participation in the parade float. The board confirmed the next regular meeting appears set for Sept. 14, 2026.

Why it matters: The center’s membership and service growth affects volunteer needs, programming capacity and fundraising planning; soil and garden issues have implications for grant-funded projects and community gardening activities.