Update 2/17/2025
 
Q: What is the budget for the project? A. The initial bond sheet SAS provided to SASC, upon our request to know how SASC would benefit from the bond, showed SASC receiving 4.48 million dollars and 14,600 square feet. The 180 million dollar Saline Area Schools (SAS) Bond was promoted and passed in Nov of 2022.
 
Q: Is SASC spending any of our funds on the project? A. The intent of SASC Staff and the SASC Board, was to utilize some of our fund balance to enhance the 4.48 million dollar project and address some items not originally in the scope, but needed in the eyes of SASC Staff. However, in Fall of 2023, SAS Staff notified us that the 4.48 million dollars on the Senior Center Bond Sheet would not all go towards the SASC expansion and remodel. SAS stated that the amount publicized was instead to be split amongst SASC, STEAM, and Cosmetology - that there was confusion regarding the bond sheet. SASC Staff and Board have raised concerns consistently with the Superintendent, Core Bond Group, and most recently the SAS Board, regarding the 4.48 million dollars publicized on the Senior Center Bond Sheet vs the approximately 2-2.5 million it looks like SAS has dedicated to the SASC portion of the project. We won’t know actual construction costs until bids are complete. SAS will also allocate a furnishing, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) budget from the bond funds, which is yet to be determined. 
 
At this point, SASC has committed about $200,000 of our own fund balance to cover the estimated shortfall of the SASC portion of the bond. SASC monies will go towards items we feel are integral to the project, i.e. fitness flooring in the group fitness room, sound deadening measures, etc. This amount could increase depending on construction costs and the FF&E Budget SAS allocates vs our needs. We may also utilize SASC funds to revamp the patio into more usable space and complete other small projects. It is disappointing to cover this shortfall out of SASC funds. However, it is financially possible for SASC to do so.
 

Note: The SASC Fund Balance is separate from our operating budget. It is made up of money that has been saved from legacy donations, interest from CD’s, etc.

Q: What is included in the expansion/remodel? A. SAS will revamp our current office and Library space for STEAM space at the Middle School. The expanded SASC footprint will include a new entrance and offices, media room, dedicated group fitness room for classes, a larger fitness machine room, social “heart” area, a coffee bar/grab and go food case, some new/reworked bathrooms, conference room, small treatment/meeting rooms, and more!

Q: Will we have new indoor pickleball courts? A. No. The original bond sheet depicted a pickleball court as a concept. The design we started with did include 1-2 pickleball courts, however in this remodel, it is just a reconfiguration of the inside of the building, the roof will not change and no outside walls will be added. Therefore, the max ceiling height in the current space we’ll expand to (the vacated bus garage) is about 14-15 feet. The typical gym/pickleball ceiling height is 25 feet. When meeting with the pickleball players, building a sub-standard court or two with short ceilings when we currently use 6 courts at Liberty School with a standard gym roof, was not desirable. The SASC Staff and the Board elected to design the senior center to meet more immediate current/future needs of our 1000+ members, and keep playing pickleball at Liberty. Note: Outdoor pickleball courts are being added to the greenspace near SASC for use by SAS, SASC, and the community. 

Q: Can we build a gym/multi-use space? A. We’d like to develop activities like indoor walking and sports, we know this is a need for our active population. However, the cost of a basic gym/multi-use space is estimated at about 5.6 million dollars, and a gym with a track, restrooms, etc., is estimated at about 11+ million dollars. Currently, this is not feasible but we will look for opportunities to fund such a venture in the future. 

Q: When will construction begin/end? A. Some SASC construction will begin mid-summer (June or July). We anticipate completion by summer of 2026. The detailed schedule has yet to be finalized. 

Q: Will SASC close during construction? A. With construction, flexibility is necessary. The demolition of the vacated bus garage will be very loud. In addition, the hall at SASC will be impassible for a few weeks while underground work is completed. Therefore, we hope to relocate activities for about 6-8 weeks this summer to an SAS location. However, most of the construction can take place without disrupting daily operations.

Q: Where can I see the design/learn more? A. Visit our website at salineseniors.org and click on the Bond tab. You can see current renderings and get more info. The website and weekly emails will be the main source for updates as the project moves forward. Great things are ahead for SASC! Thanks for you support, patience, and excitement.