Council to determine if La Crosse will cut ties with senior centers

Report says buildings need
around $500,000 in repairs

A last decision could happen tonight from the La Crosse city council on what would be the final leases on the city’s two senior centers. 

Many in city hall want to cut ties with the buildings that are said to need about a half million dollars in maintenance and repairs. The city currently puts about $20,000 a year into both of the buildings – the Harry J. Olson Center on North Street was built in 1887, while the Southside Center on Denton Street was built in 1895.

Donna Wavra, director of the north side center, believes they both are still valuable places.

“Not only is it used by the senior citizens by our city, it’s also used by various different organizations,” she said, adding young people use the buildings as well as the elderly.

Wavra argues even those who come from out of town to go to the centers wind up spending money at stores and restaurants while they’re in La Crosse. 

“These people are visiting here,” Wavra said. “They’re using the restaurants, the gas stations, the stores. They’re hitting the malls.

“This is an important part of our community. The more people that use the building is also beneficial to the city.”

If approved, the city would enter into final, five-year leases with the centers and sell them after that. Within that five years, a committee will figure out where to go next with senior programs in La Crosse.