Expansion Proposed for Senior Center

Prompted by a shortage of space, city and park district officials are proposing to expand the Goebel Senior Adult Center.

When the senior center moved to the one-story building on E. Janss Road in 1991, about 2,000 people used the facility each month. Currently, 10,000 to 12,000 seniors take part in the center’s activities every month, officials said.

“A lot of the classes are at capacity,” said recreation supervisor Mark Schrock, who oversees the senior center for the Conejo Recreation and Park District. “Our exercise, bingo and bridge programs are the ones that are really jammed and really full. A lot of times this parking lot is jammed and we have over 200 spaces.”

About eight months ago, park district officials began evaluating the 17,000-square-foot center to see which of its facilities are used most and when. Many of the 12 activity rooms are booked mornings to early afternoons, officials said.

In recent weeks, the park district submitted several expansion proposals to the city, which built and maintains the center as a joint project with the park district, said Tom Hare, the city’s facilities manager.

Proposals include expanding the east end of the building, adding 100 to 200 square feet for storage and switching the volunteers’ program office with the conference room, Hare said.

A price tag and a construction date have yet to be established, said Scott Mitnick, the deputy city manager.

Once the architects make a decision on what expansion projects will work, a cost analysis and construction timeline will begin, officials said. It is expected to be a few months before a recommendation goes to the City Council for consideration.