Council approved the terms of reference (TOR) for the Seniors’ Centre Task Force July 3, which will take the next year to search for a permanent home.
Among the key components of the plan are deciding upon the design criteria (i.e. a stand-alone structure or joint-use facility), preferred management model, and programming needs of the centre, which could affect the facility’s location, design and the size.
Though no cost estimates have yet been provided, all those factors will determine the price.
“Obviously, one can go straight ahead and choose the Rolls-Royce,” said Coun. Jenny Stevens, but added the purpose of the task force will be to come back with cost estimates and recommendations.
Stevens was surprised the TOR seemingly promotes Pleasant View as a preferred site before the task force begins, and said all options need to be explored.
“I fully support the Seniors’ Centre, but how that looks I’m not sure yet and I’ll be looking forward to the task force,” said Coun. Tony Luck, who added Mission will need to “manage expectations.”
The task force will have three representatives from the Mission Seniors’ Centre Association, two members of municipal council, one each from the Old Age Pensioners, Mission Association for Seniors’ Housing, and Mission Community Services, the district’s director of Parks, Recreation and Culture (Maureen Sinclair), the district’s director of planning (Sharon Fletcher), and up to two community members at council’s discretion.
Monthly task force meetings will be public, and the minutes will be forwarded to regular council meetings.
The task force study report is expected back to council by April 2013.
