‘In the right hands’: Oversight of Vernon Hills senior center shifting to park district

After more than 30 years, oversight and programming at the Vernon Hills Senior Center could be shifting away from the village.

Village hall will continue to provide space for the center, but day-to-day operations will fall to the Vernon Hills Park District as part of a pending agreement expected to be approved Sept. 1.

“Basically, this doesn't change what we've already been doing. It just adds to it,” Mayor Thom Koch said during a recent village board discussion with park district officials. “Nothing is being subtracted.”

The pending switch is described as an upgrade to available activities, programs and opportunities for the Vernon Hills Senior Citizens Organization, which was established by the village in 1995.

With a mission to support health, wellness, recreational opportunities and more for all residents, the park district plans to address any outstanding issues with the senior center, build participation, reduce isolation and work with residents 55 and over as they become empty nesters or retire.

“We want to build a gap program, a bridge program,” said Matt LaPorte, the park district’s executive director. “We're happy to take it over and very excited for the opportunity.”

Park board President Carol Sente said the new arrangement will give seniors the ability “to engage as much or as little as they want.”

The senior citizens group was designed to be a self-sufficient organization governed by a board and officers. But with significant turnover and inability to fill spots, it asked for more resources and support for day-to-day oversight and operations, Village Manager Kevin Timony said.

In addition to space at village hall, Vernon Hills provided the senior center about $30,000 in this year’s budget, Timony said.

The village will continue to provide the senior center space at no cost and pay for utilities and cleaning services. It would also reimburse the park district $60,000 for operations costs in the first year, with that figure increasing 5% annually, subject to village board budget appropriations. The agreement would run through May 31, 2031.

The park district would staff and operate the senior center from 8:30 a.m. To 4:30 p.m. weekdays; provide programming, field trips and monthly events; and continue core programming at no cost, including two exercise and two tabletop game sessions per week and monthly birthday celebrations.

Seniors will continue to have access to programs and services at village hall and be granted membership at no cost. Members also will have access to expanded services and programming.

In a separate action, the senior citizens organization will be dissolved.

Several options were explored before the village connected with the park district, Timony said.

“You stepped right up for it, and we really appreciate it,” Trustee Michael Schenk told park district officials. “It's in the right hands.”

@mzawislak@dailyherald.com