As Battle Ground Senior Citizens Inc. (BGSC), the local senior enrichment group, prepares to return to its longtime home after renovations, the move promises much needed financial relief amid rising operational costs.
On Monday, Jan. 6, the Battle Ground City Council approved a $565,264 project to renovate the city-owned, 50-year-old senior center, utilizing $300,000 in grant funds from the Department of Commerce. The remodel includes asbestos abatement, a covered patio, kitchen and bathroom remodels, storage and event room updates, siding replacement and fencing. ATK Construction, the contractor, will additionally replace the HVAC system, update windows and ceilings, and replace the aging roof, downspouts and gutters.
As part of the agreement to renovate the senior center, BGSC secured a deal with the city to use the facility rent-free, which BGSC President Sharon Wodtke described as a major financial relief for the nonprofit.
“That’s a big plus for the seniors because right there we don’t have to knock on doors and fundraise for rent for the senior center,” Wodtke said.
BGSC has used the facility for social events for nearly 50 years. The senior center serves as the primary venue for activity events and games, offering seniors a space to socialize, engage in recreational activities and participate in group programs. Wodtke recalled that around 2008, the City Council changed its policy, opting to charge the nonprofit a nominal fee. As of 2018, the nonprofit paid $10 to $15 per hour for a minimum of four hours per day, along with an annual $50 fee.
Over the years, BGSC has faced significant increases in costs, posing substantial challenges to its operations. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization managed its expenses efficiently. BGSC’s monthly luncheon, held at the Battle Ground Community Center on Main Street, was supported by community donations and manageable catering costs. Unlike the senior center, which hosts regular activities and games, the community center is designated specifically for these monthly luncheons.
However, the landscape shifted dramatically post-pandemic due to inflation and increased demand for services. The cost of providing a single monthly meal rose sharply from $300 or $400 to $1,700. After the pandemic, senior participation jumped from 90 to 150 overnight, eventually capping at 200 due to financial and space constraints. This sharp rise in expenses forced the organization to intensify fundraising and grant-writing efforts.
Wodtke explained that, as a nonprofit, charging a membership fee for participating seniors in need of services was not an option.
“This (senior center agreement) was something that we were working toward because of the finances,” Wodtke said. “We’ve got hit hard because of our growth and because inflation hit us tremendously hard … Paying rent and having to provide this one meal a month was impactful and we had to try to figure out ways to save dollars. As a 501c3 (nonprofit), we are not allowed to have a membership, so there’s no membership fee.”
Since 2024, the Battle Ground City Council has been more receptive to the needs of the senior community than ever, Wodtke said. The remodeled facility and reduced costs will help BGSC operate for years to come.
“We are just absolutely over the moon (and) delighted because that’s been a home to the original members,” she said.
Construction for the remodel is expected to conclude between late April and early June. The City and BGSC will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the building’s 50th anniversary in June.
For more information about BGSC, visit its Facebook page at https://tinyurl.com/2s36n3fn.
