A fledgling organization called the Saratoga Citizens Committee to Save the North Campus aims to negotiate and convince the city to hold onto the piece of property and use it for activities by the Saratoga Senior Center.

Jack Mallory, a former city council member, announced the formation of the steering committee at a city council meeting on March 2.

"We know you have voted to sell the site due to serious financial problems but have not yet listed the property on the market. We are aware that you are considering rezoning the land and selling it with an approval to build nine houses," Mallory said.

He announced that it was the committee's goal to reach an agreement with the city to permanently retain the North Campus for future use.

"We will be considering various retention options, including purchasing the property. In any case, it is clear that a major fundraising program will be necessary to save the site and make necessary improvements," Mallory said.

The former councilman said that 13 members of the community have already pledged to join the committee. They include Martha Clevenger, a former Saratoga mayor; Marlene Duffin, a former president of the Foothill Club and Lions Clubs; and Norman Siegler, who is a member of the city's finance commission.

"I made 17 phone calls and 13 people decided to sign up on the spot. That is a pretty high number," Mallory said.

During his address to the council, Mallory outlined the reasons for trying to retain the North Campus.

"We believe the Senior Center wants and needs to relocate to this site due to a growing membership and limited facilities at the Civic Center," he said.

Mallory also said that retaining the campus would help provide a meeting space for other community organizations. "It will alleviate traffic congestion and parking problems at the Civic Complex."

He added that if the Senior Center moved to the North Campus, the city would have more space for its own use.

"I think the city should also honor the commitment it made to the Grace Methodist Church," he said. The church sold the property to the city on the condition that the property be used for community-related activities.

Later, Mallory said he hoped that more and more people would get involved in the discussion about the North Campus. "I am rushing around trying to talk to as many people as possible," he said.

"One option might be the Hakone Gardens model where the city owns the property but an independent foundation runs the place," he said.

John Feemster, president of the Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council, said that he would extend all possible help to the new committee.

"I will be talking to the committee to better explain the scale of our operations and what our needs are," Feemster said.

Michael Story, who is on the board of directors for SASCC, said that the committee would work with the city to ensure a better future for the seniors in Saratoga.