Dundee Twp. senior center may drop 'senior' from name

For $1 million, you could have your name emblazoned across a Dundee Township building.

But, if you're short on funds for an endowment, the Dundee Township Park District is taking suggestions in renaming the district's Senior Center at 655 Barrington Ave. in Carpentersville.

Tom Mammoser, the park district's executive director, said park district commissioners are searching for a more appropriate moniker to reach a larger audience.

"We are considering a change because we provide services for people 50 and older, people who may not consider themselves a senior," Mammoser said. "We want to create more interest in the services we provide. None of the existing services would be changed or eliminated. This would be a change for more, not less."

Mary Stallings, the senior center coordinator, said the name change is aimed at better reflecting the diversity of programs the center affords.

"It is what you have inside the building that makes a difference, not the name on the outside of the building," Stallings said. "There may be people out there who at 50 do not consider themselves seniors and don't realize the services we have because they don't look in the senior section of the newsletter."

The name change search is still in a discussion phase, but Mammoser encouraged local residents to submit ideas.

Other communities have named similar facilities leisure centers. And then there's the FAB Center in Wheaton for those Fifty And Better.

"If someone is willing to donate $1 million, we would be willing to name the Senior Center after them," Mammoser said. "That would make a name change easier. We have some ideas, but none that we really like."