City to vote on future of La Crosse’s two senior centers Monday

Actual work on creating new senior centers in La Crosse appears to be ready to go to the next level.

The city’s Board of Public Works votes this morning on a plan for senior centers on both the north and south sides.

The plan for the south side center is to move it into the south branch library. The Harry J. Olson senior center on the north could be refurbished, and would also include some housing.

But another couple options could also be identified depending on cost and feasibility.

A special committee recently spent months figuring out what to do with longstanding senior center issue. Its conclusion was to merge the southside library with the senior center. And, on the north side, either move it or keep it there.

The task force also recommend spending $20,000 on outside consultation on the future of the centers.

Both current centers are over 100 years old and in need of extensive repairs.

A recent survey of 671 people — most of them retired and over 65 — found that 81 percent want to keep centers on both the north and south sides of the city.

The most wished for amenity from that survey was an indoor walking track.