Campbell River seniors could end up back at the indoor mall.
The city is looking into leasing opportunities for a new seniors’ centre and among the options is the Campbell River Commons.
“Three of the options that will be brought forward to council as lease options include two potential locations at the Campbell River Commons Shopping Mall, at 1400 Ironwood Street,” said Ross Milnthorp, the city’s general manager of parks and recreation.
The third option is to lease office space in the existing Seymour Pacific building which is expected to be vacated by the end of the month when Seymour Pacific moves into its new headquarters next door.
Milnthorp said the city is in discussions with the respective owners to determine costs and logistics.
“Staff are currently reviewing lease terms and rates along with the required improvements and costs associated with these options,” Milnthorp said.
The seniors previously leased space at the Campbell River Commons free of charge until that agreement came to an end in 2013.
Since then the seniors have been bounced around from venue to venue and are currently splitting time between the Sportsplex and the Community Centre.
The seniors society has asked city council several times for help in securing its own building.
The city is in the midst of looking at possible options for purchasing a building for the seniors as well as leasing options.
Milnthorp said the city is “in the process of obtaining additional information on properties for a more in-depth report to council at the committee of the whole meeting on August 26.”
The city is also considering building a seniors centre as either an addition to the Community Centre or adjacent to the building.
If the city does go that route, it’s expected to cost between $3.5 million and $5.7 million. A 15,000 square foot addition, which has been requested by the seniors, would be in the range of $5.25 million to $5.7 million.