Senior Center Gets $100,000 Boost From County

San Leandro's Senior Center will receive an extra $100,000 in funding over the next two years, thanks to an "angel" in the form of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.

At a short ceremony held at the new center on Wednesday morning, District 3 Supervisor Wilma Chan presented a symbolic check to Vice Mayor Michael Gregory. The money comes from revenue generated through , the half-cent sales tax passed by county voters in 2004 to pay for health care services. 

The Senior Center offers a number of exercise and wellness classes, along with basic health checks like blood pressure testing.

"People who have worked hard all their lives have the right to enjoy good health...and also enjoy activities outside their homes," Chan said. 

The money from the county comes at a time when the city needs all the outside help it can get. The Recreation and Human Services Department, which manages the Senior Center, has had its budget slashed by $1.2 million over the past two years (although $360,000 would be restored under the 2012 budget proposal). 

The new Senior Center was completed last summer, but the city didn't find the funds to open it until April 4.

Upon receiving the check from Chan, Vice Mayor Gregory recalled the anonymous angel donor who provided money last year to keep  open. 

"In this sense, you are an angel today," he told Chan. 

Carolyn Knudtson, who heads the Recreation and Human Services Department, said the money would help maintain programs that otherwise might have been cut, and keep a full-time facility attendant on staff. 

"We opened this on very bare bones," Knudtson said. "This will allow us to run [the Senior Center] safely and effectively." 

Knudtson and Senior Recreation Supervisor Louie Despeaux said the new center has been a hit with users in its first two months. Seniors at the center on Wednesday agreed. 

"I think it's fantastic," said Dorothy Johnson, 90, on her way out of a tai chi chuan class. "It's a little further for me, but it's worth it."

"This is beautiful," said Harold Johnson, 66, who also takes tai chi at the center. 

"It's so much more convenient for me," said fellow tai chi practitioner, Judy Wright, 70. Wright said she also takes line dancing classes at the center. "It's certainly being used," she said.

Senior activities have priority in the building during weekdays. But the city rents the building out for evening and weekend events to generate revenue. 

"It's been very popular for rentals," said Senior Recreation Supervisor Despeaux.