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Council awards senior center bid
By Jana Seshadri
Long-time Sunnyvale resident Helen DeWolf, 81, first approached the Sunnyvale City Council about a new senior center in June 1998. Now, almost four years and several discussion-filled meetings later, her wish is close to coming true.
The Sunnyvale City Council on March 19 voted unanimously to award the contract for the construction of a new 23,000-square-foot senior center to Thompson Pacific Construction Inc. of San Rafael.
"This is a historic occasion," Mayor Fred Fowler said.
"I am thrilled," DeWolf said.
DeWolf said local seniors are anxious and eager to start using the new facility.
The project faced its share of challenges. Last year the seniors, led by DeWolf, rallied to keep their name for the center as the 'Sunnyvale Senior Center' against the department of parks and recreation's suggestion of the 'Older Adult Center.' Upon staff's recommendation, however, the city council unanimously awarded the seniors their choice of name.
The new single-story facility, which will be on the Manet Drive side of the Sunnyvale Community Center, will include a multipurpose room, kitchen, lobby/lounge area, health-counseling rooms, multiuse activity rooms and administrative offices. The groundbreaking ceremony will be on April 24, and construction is scheduled for completion in one year.
"I made the motion for the senior center four years ago," Vice Mayor Julia Miller said as she moved to approve the recommendation. "And I'm honored to make the motion tonight."
Councilwoman Pat Vorreiter asked if the cost for public art for the center would be included in the budget allocated for the center, and Mary Bradley, director of finance, responded that it would. Vorreiter then seconded Miller's motion by saying, "Let's roll."
"I just don't want any more delays," DeWolf said.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
