From Senior Center to Teen Center or….

we’re doing it for the children!

Park Ridge Park District (PRPD), headed by Executive Director Mr. “O” Ochromowicz, is apparently moving ahead with PRPD’s Strategic Plan to create a “teen space.”  See page 8 of 14.

PRPD’s Strategic Plan

I’m sure, every Park Ridge Resident with a teenager in-tow could not be more ecstatic.   It’s nice to have the “Center” for Park Ridge teens to get together, play games, get vital information and support from their community.  Too bad it’s being purchased at the cost of the “Center” for Park Ridge seniors who get together, play games, get vital information and support from their community.

I’ve just taken an afternoon to review PRPD’s child-centered 2010 budget.  Based upon the numerous graphs, the “senior” costs under PRPD’s plan (budget) range from 4% to 5% of the overall budget.  Even with my limited military-school mathematics, that leaves 95% to 96% of the budget for everything else.

What else?

A partial list of child-centered activities budgeted in 2010  by Park Ridge Park District.

	Soccer	Football
	Basketball	Hockey
	Fencing	Volleyball
	Racquetball	Lacrosse
	Archery	T-Ball
	Flag Football	Etc.

Personally, I’m all for each of these activities, and more!  Problem is, “and more” has a cost. 

The “Plan” now being executed was put together in 2008, a time when things were looking better.  I am sure, the Dick Barton led PRPD board never envisioned the financial or conflicting inter-generational needs facing the current Board or Management.  So, what do you do?

Some say, those seniors receive enough perks already!

A list of senior “perks” .

	Social Security	No COLA’s for years.
	Pensions	Lost $$ like everyone else.
	Medicare	Supplemental Insurance Required.
	Medicaid	If you qualify.
	Senior Services	Such as they are.
	Senior Discounts.	Use every one we can get.

These are not “perks”.  Ok, you got me, senior discount is a perk used by businesses to attract more customers.  The rest on that list are things seniors have already paid for or are currently paying for.  At the Park Ridge Senior Center, they even have to pay yearly dues as part of their contract to defray Park District costs. This is not always the case with many other area Senior Centers.

Executing the plan.

Earlier, I asked “what do you do?”  Do you execute a Strategic Plan that is out of date and out of sync with current events?  Or do you adjust it, hoping to implement great ideas in better times.  Do you destroy one valuable entity to create one of unproven value?

Time is running out!

The Park Ridge Park District through Executive Director Ochromowicz is said to have indicated a willingness to share the facility with Park Ridge teens in 2011.  How  thoughtful.  I wonder how the Board, Mr. “O” and other Park District users would feel having to share all of the other Park Ridge Park District facilities and services with those same seniors? 

I can see it now. 

Park Ridge Park District leading the way with a senior’s only soccer league.  You can bet those are going to be very slow games.  The new Depends ® changing stations aren't going to be cheap either.

But what about 2012?  

I believe Mr. “O”  is determined to do his job as specified by the Strategic Plan.  If I were in his shoes that’s exactly what I’d be doing.  Remember, they own the property and they have a right to do with it as they please.

That said, closing or “duel-using” the Senior Center is not a good idea at this time.  The idea of creating a teen-center at this PRPD facility may have merit.  However, the implementation method currently in play is smarmy at best and shameful at worst. 

A little forethought, a little communication, a little courtesy and a whole lot more PRPD transparency could have eliminated this delicate situation altogether. 

What needs to be done.

The Park Ridge Park District Board needs to contract with the seniors for one more year.  Doing so would give the Senior Center Members and PRPD Board the opportunity to identify their future options thoroughly.  This courtesy would place this aspect of PRPD’s Strategic Plan just one year behind schedule.  Would it be a win-win for everyone?  No!  It would however, go a long way in removing the foul taste of PRPD deceit seniors are now experiencing.

Last word.

Seniors, you can bet your Social Security checks that the duel-use facility idea is the first step toward eviction.  You’d better have a Plan-“B” for 2012’s contract termination. 

Of course, it’s just my opinion.

Note: The views in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the Senior Center.