Design of new senior center attracts attention Design of new senior center attracts attention (July 23, 2004)

Seniors enjoy activities in smaller interim building

By Jon Wiener

The pool tables are jammed close together, the table tennis players are surrounded by a net, and the sounds of karaoke emanate from the next room.

Welcome to the city's interim senior center. Mountain View's seniors have been coming here to eat, take classes, and meet friends since November. The former center, about 20 feet away, closed to make room for a new, seismically-safe building.

After watching the demolition of the old building and following the city's plans to build a new and improved center by 2007, the seniors are getting settled in their new but temporary digs.

"If we have to wait until 2007, we'll make do," said Bob Cohen, a center visitor. He added, "That's so far away, most of us will die before then."

Cohen comes to the senior center on days he doesn't have appointments or errands to run to play pool with a group of friends. On Tuesday, George Patterson joined him. Patterson's wish list consists of newer pool tables and getting the two damaged pianos repaired. By comparison, the new center is somewhat less immediate of a concern.

Nevertheless, both he and Cohen said they have seen the pictures of the schematic design of the new building, which have been posted on a bulletin board in the center's main hallway. They said they are impressed with the appearance of the building, despite the loss of several trees. But they are most excited about its size.

"It's amazing, what they've been able to do with this little place here," said Patterson.

Most of the furniture in the interim center was moved from the old center, and almost all of the activities are still going on. But crowding is such an issue that Patterson even suggested putting the ping-pong table up on the roof.

The city council approved the schematic design for the new building in late June. Some of its features include a large open social hall, lots of natural light and decorative paving at the entrance to the building. The city has authorized $17 million to pay for its construction.

Virginia Roja has been volunteering for the center for eight years and now works at the front desk. She said the number of seniors using the facility has stayed high since the move, but everybody is looking forward to seeing the new center go up.

"We definitely like the old one but we couldn't stay in it," said Roja. With a smile, she added, "The new one is going to be gorgeous."

E-mail Jon Wiener at jwiener@mv-voice.com

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