The Whatcom Council on Aging (WCOA) Board is excited to announce the acquisition of 140 E. Bellis Fair Parkway as the future home of the Bellingham Senior Activity Center. This building was purchased from WECU and is the first step in a multi-year journey to provide a state-of-the-art senior activity center to serve Bellingham’s growing and increasingly diverse senior population. This property will also host a central kitchen for WCOA’s Meals on Wheels & More program, which last year served or delivered 270,146 meals to Whatcom and San Juan County seniors.

Why do we need a new senior center?

Whatcom County’s older adult population (60+) is projected to grow 40% over the next twenty years (56,505 to 80,097 by 2040). The current center at 315 Halleck averages nearly 400 visitors a day and is struggling with age and capacity, turning people away from popular programs. We do not own or control the main parking lot in front of the building. The current building is also not air-conditioned.

Why this location?

WCOA engaged RMC Architects and RAM Construction to do an analysis of the current building and plan for future growth. RMC projected a need of 28,000 square feet, nearly double our current programmable space. This building achieves that goal plus additional benefits including:

·        Single investment and location for the future BSAC & Meals on Wheels central kitchen

·        Adequate and controlled parking of 104 spaces

·        Located along a WTA main bus route

·        Already ADA compliant & significantly soundproofed

·        Connection with diverse communities and senior living facilities in the Meridian & Cordata corridors

Why does Meals on Wheels & More need a central kitchen?

Our Meals on Wheels and More kitchen team currently prepares our senior community meals out of the BSAC and caters to the Blaine, Ferndale, Sumas and Everson senior centers. However, the majority of our home delivered meals on wheels for homebound seniors are purchased from a third-party vendor as we don’t have production and storage space to prepare them locally.

This central kitchen will allow us to lovingly prepare all our own meals, expand our menu to improve quality through use of more fresh and locally sourced foods, and expand our offerings to prepare medically tailored meals that meet different dietary restrictions.

Where will the resources come from to renovate the building?

The Whatcom Council on Aging is launching a $10 million comprehensive campaign, raising capital and operational dollars needed to renovate the building and operate it going forward.

When can we expect to move in?

WCOA cannot begin construction until we have the capital campaign pledges to fund the renovation. We anticipate at least two years of fund-raising and construction.

What will happen with the building in the meantime?

As the building offers significant programmable square footage as/is, we plan to relocate some existing BSAC programming and add new programs in the fully air-conditioned space. Stay tuned for more information.

I thought the Bellingham Senior Activity Center was operated by Whatcom County?

Whatcom County Parks and Recreation owns and maintains the 315 Halleck Street location. WCOA has had a contract to program and operate the BSAC since 2010. We greatly appreciate Whatcom County’s longtime support of seniors county-wide and will continue to partner in this new location.

How can I learn more?

Over the next week WCOA staff will visit with current BSAC classes and activity participants to share the news, answer questions, and get feedback. You can also visit the WCOA booth at Senior Day in the Park where WCOA Board members look forward to hearing from you! In the future, tours and listening sessions will also be scheduled to share the vision and collect stakeholder feedback.

How can I participate / support this effort?

We look forward to hearing from our current stakeholders and are excited to answer your questions and get your feedback. This is your senior activity center, and we hope everyone can participate in its future. We have a bold and exciting journey ahead of us that everyone can play a role in as we work to finalize plans and raise the funds to make this vision a reality.

We want to hear from you!

Please feel free to reply to this email with questions and comments or stop by the BSAC front desk to speak with us in person!

Sincerely,

WCOA Board of Directors

Chris Orr, WCOA Executive Director

Molly Simon, Bellingham Senior Activity Center Director

Rob Vandine, Meals on Wheels & More Director

Mission: Whatcom Council on Aging, in partnership with the people we serve, offers nutritional, health, social, recreational, and educational programs that promote lifelong independence.