From:
To: Mary Gourley
Subject: Public Comment: Support for Formal Appraisal of Senior Center Building Date: Monday, August 4, 2025 5:39:27 PM
Dear Honorable City Council Members:
First of all, let me thank you for your dedication and service to our community.
Like you, I have an invested interest in our lovely community, and have found my path by teaching classes at the Sebastopol Area Senior Center. I teach a weekly SAIL (Stay Active & Independent for Life!) class that incorporates fitness and balance. The class is full every week with a waiting list. Our members are clamoring for more, but we don't have the space available. If you could see what I see, your heart would be full. To see these lovely people becoming stronger and able to continue to remain in their homes and contribute to the community is so heart-warming. I learn so much from them.
We also offer a robust Fall Prevention program at SASC. I teach a class called "Matter of Balance", in partnership with the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging. This program is free of charge and so valuable to our community, and we struggle with space and time to offer it.
I believe that the statistics of our area reflect a robust aging population. The Sebastopol Area Senior Center is such a necessary part of our senior community, and that community is only growing. All you have to do is look at the folks attending Peace Town.... I think at 68 I might be the average age!!! I believe that a formal appraisal would be a timely step to explore the possibility of leveraging the building's value toward purchasing or developing a new space that allows us to better meet the needs of this expanding community. We are so lucky to have a dedicated Board of Directors and exceptional leadership from Katie Davis to navigate any opportunity for growth. An expanded senior center would be win-win for both the City and our older adult residents. It is already the crown jewel of our community, and it could become so much more!
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration for the City of Sebastopol to conduct a formal appraisal of the building currently housing the Sebastopol Area Senior Center.
With appreciation,
Vickie Morse
SASC Fitness & Balance Coach
Sebastopol Resident