West End Seniors (ESSO).

Recommendation:
  1. That approval be given for Capital Project 03-21-5523 Westend Seniors Activity Centre Facility Renovations in the amount of $250,000 to be funded from General Financing – Utility Dividend.
  2. That City of Edmonton funds be advanced when Westend Seniors Activity Centre has all other capital funding in place and has provided a detailed three year business plan, with independent project costings, that demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the General Manager of Community Services, its ability to operate the expanded facility.

Report Summary

This report provides details of the proposed Westend Seniors Activity Centre, formerly the Edmonton Self-Starters Seniors Organization, facility relocation and renovation project.

Previous Council/Committee Action

At the December 2002, Special City Council Budget meeting, the following motions were passed:

  1. That project entitled West End Seniors (ESSO) (Terra Losa Community League renovations) be added to the funded capital plan as follows: $250,000 in 2003, with funding from Utility Dividend.
  2. That the funding be held in abeyance until Administration prepares a report with details of the program, for Council’s approval. The report to come back to City Council through the Community Services Committee by early March 2003.

Report

Founded in 1978 as a non-profit seniors’ centre, the Westend Seniors Activity Centre’s (WSAC) mission is “To provide for the healthy and active ageing of seniors through the provision of programs, activities, information and support.” WSAC has received Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) program funding through the City of Edmonton since 1980 and has just entered into a new three year funding agreement for $92,335 per year.

With four staff and 100 volunteers, WSAC provides year round programming, clubs and activities to approximately 1,200 members from its city-leased location at 9200 – 163 Street. WSAC is the main provider of seniors programming in West Edmonton. In the next twenty years, 25% of Edmonton’s population (1999 Civic Census) will become seniors, boosting the already high numbers and creating a greater demand for seniors’ services.

A 1998 needs assessment conducted by WSAC identified the need for a gymnasium, kitchen, larger office space, and improved ceramics and wood working areas for its growing membership.

With severely limited member parking and the inability to expand from its current location, WSAC entered into an agreement on November 15, 2002 with the Terra Losa Community Association (TLCA) for use of its facility at 9629 – 176 Street. The agreement is for a 25 year term with an option to renew for three additional 25 year periods.

In addition to renovating the existing space, plans are in place to add an additional 14,000 square feet of space to the existing TLCA facility to meet current and future needs of seniors in west Edmonton. Once renovations and facility expansions are complete, WSAC’s goals are to increase the number and variety of programs offered and to host evening and weekend programming.

Administration has reviewed WSAC’s 2003-2005 Business Plan and has discussed its fundraising plan. To reach its full potential, WSAC will be embarking on a campaign to raise $1.5 million. It is the opinion of Administration that WSAC’s plans are viable and that the organization’s record of sound management bodes well for achievement of the intended facility and programs.

Budget / Financial Implications

The Capital Budget for 2003 includes $250,000 from General Financing - Utility Dividend as the City’s contribution to assist in funding WSAC’s expansion and renovation project. As part of the approved 2003 budget, funding has been set aside for this purpose pending the approval of this report.

Justification of Recommendation

  1. City Council, during its 2003 budget deliberations, directed Administration to prepare this report for Community Services Committee review.
    WSAC is the primary provider of seniors’ programs in west Edmonton. Current service demands exceed this organization’s ability to meet local needs at its current location. Renovations to the new location will allow WSAC to meet current seniors needs as well as anticipated growth.
    WSAC has, over many years, demonstrated responsible management of its operating budget.
  2. WSAC’s 2003-2005 Business Plan has been reviewed and generally indicates their ability to balance their current operating expenditures and revenues over the three-year period. The plan does not show increased costs for operating a new expanded site which could result in a deficit. The capital funds have not yet been secured to fund the expansion. Detailed planning and costing of the proposed facility has not yet taken place.

Background Information Attached

  1. Highlights of the Westend Seniors Activity Centre and the Terra Losa Community Association.
  2. Highlights of the Offer to Lease between the Westend Seniors Activity Centre and the Terra Losa Community Association.
  3. Westend Seniors Activity Centre 2003 Capital Project Profile.
  4. Highlights of the Westend Seniors Centre’s 2003 – 2005 Projected Financial Statement.

Background Information Available on Request

  1. WSAC (formerly Edmonton Self-Starters Seniors Organization) Business Plan 2003 –2005.

Others Approving this Report

Randy Garvey, General Manager

Corporate Services Department

(Page 1 of 333)

Attachment 1

Highlights of the Westend Seniors Activity Centre and the Terra Losa Community Association.

The Westend Seniors Activity Centre (WSAC):

  • Founded in 1978 as a non-profit senior’s centre, WSAC’s mission is “to provide for the healthy and active ageing of seniors through the provision of programs, activities, information and support.”
  • Along with WSAC’s 4 staff, there is a Board of Directors consisting of 12 volunteers that guide the organization in its affairs.
  • WSAC also offers a wide variety of Community Outreach and Social Wellness Programming. As part of its staffing complement, WSAC’s Social Worker provides preventive services that:
  1. Decrease the incidences of isolated seniors;
  2. Identify and help seniors who are currently isolated and unsupported;
  3. Promote and help develop skills, while allowing seniors to live active, responsible, independent and healthy lives.
  • The City through Family & Community Support Services funding has supported WSAC since 1980. In 2003 the City and WSAC entered into a three-year funding agreement (contingent upon City and provincial funding levels) for $92,335.00 each year to assist with Community Outreach and Social Wellness Programming.

The Terra Losa Community Association (TLCA):

  • TLCA was established in 1980 to foster and promote social and recreational opportunities for residents through operation of the currently under-utilized community centre.
  • The Offer to Lease with WSAC ensures that TLCA has a stable source of funding, since TLCA’s collection of mandatory assessment from home and commercial owners was to end on December 31, 2005. Assessment will end in September 2003 when WSAC relocates to the Terra Losa Community Centre.
  • Based on the 1999 Civic Census, 41% of the Terra Losa neighbourhood population was seniors.
  • TLCA will continue to meet community needs and plans to develop its park space in 2004.

Attachment 1 - Page 1 of 111

Attachment 2

Highlights of the Offer to Lease between the Westend Seniors Activity Centre and the Terra Losa Community Association.

  1. Date of Signing: November 15, 2002
  1. Possession Date for WSAC: September 1, 2003
  1. Term of Lease: 25 years with the option to renew for three more 25-year periods for a total of 100 years.
  1. Conditions:

a)Both WSAC and TLCA to receive formal approval from their general membership on or before January 14, 2003. Met

b)The City to acknowledge that a copy of the Offer to Lease has been received and that the City has no objections. Met

c)The City (Asset Management & Public Works Department), current landlord of the WSAC property (9200 – 163 Street), to modify WSAC’s Lease to include a three months written notice for termination clause versus the twelve months currently required. Upon receipt of notice by WSAC that all conditions in the Offer to Lease have been satisfied, a formal Amending Agreement document will be drafted and forwarded.

  1. Option to Purchase: The City has been granted the first option to purchase the TLCA property should TLCA become insolvent, bankrupt or cease to carry on its activities. Prior to the City exercising this option to purchase, theCommunity Services Department would review the adequacy guidelines for parkland in the neighbourhood along with other relevant factors. In 1999 during the process to dispose of a surplus school site within the neighbourhood, it was determined that Terra Losa’sexisting parkland met and exceeded the park space requirements identified in current City standards. In the event that the City decided not to purchase the TLCA property, the City would still maintain some reversionary rights to the property.

Attachment 2 - Page 1 of 111

Attachment 3

Westend Seniors Activity Centre 2003 Capital Project Profile.

Attachment 3 - Page 1 of 111

Attachment 4

Highlights of WSAC’s 2003 – 2005 Projected Financial Statement.

Attachment 4 - Page 1 of 222