HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.3 SeniorCenterGrandOpen
CITY CLERK
File # D~~[Q1-[]]~
AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: May 3,2005
SUBJECT:
Grand Opening of the New Dublin Senior Center
Report by Paul McCreary, Parks & Community Services Manager
ATTACHMENTS;
None
RECOMMEN~~IO~
Receive report, provide input on the preliminary event plan9 and
direct Staff to move forward with planning.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT;
Sufficient funds are available in the FY 2004-2005 Special Events
Budget to begin planning for the events. If the Council concurs with
the event plan, Staff will include a request in the FY 2005-2006
Budget that will result in a net cost of $8,800 for the two events.
DESCRIPTION; Plaruling is underway for the Grand Opening of the new Dublin
Senior Center. Although a specific date has not been established for the opening, it is estimated the
opening will occur during summer 2005.
When the new facility opens it will be primarily used for senior programs and services. The building will
also be used by the community for leisure classes and cultural arts programs when it is not being used for
senior programs and services. Therefore, Staff recommends conducting two different Grand Opening
events, with the purpose of creating significant awareness of the new facility in the community. The first
event would be a themed gala banquet event targeted to older adults. The second event would be the
official "ribbon-cutting" for the facility and feature a "Health & Wellness Fair".
GALA BANQUET EVENT
This gala event eOllld feature a catered dinner, entertainment, and other unique venues throughout the
facility. Staff has invited the Dublin Senior Foundation to partner with the City on the event to assist with
soliciting monetary donations to keep the costs of tickets to a minimum for seniors. The Foundation may
also use the event to conduct a fundraiscr and create more awareness of the positive impact the
organization has on the community. In order to move forward with planning, Staff would like input from
the Council on the preliminary event plan proposed by the Senior Center Advisory Committee.
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ITEM NO.
8.;3
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The event would be held on a Saturday evening and have a "Cruise Ship" theme. The facility would be
decorated with a nautical theme. Guests would have an opportunity to have their picture taken as they
"board the ship". A "Social Hour" would start the event with appetizers and beverages located throughout
the ship and outdoors "on deck". An art exhihition featuring Senior Center artists would he on display as
well.
Following the Social Hour, diImer would begin in the dining room. The "midnight buffet" would be just
as appetizing as those on the cruise ships_ There could be several huffet tables decorated with ice
sculptures to keep lines to a minimum. Following dinner, a "big band" would provide music for dancing.
A cruise ship style casino wouId be setup in the game rooms for fun and door prizes after dinner as well.
A caricature artist could also be available to draw pictures of guests throughout the evening.
Guests would be asked to dress in semi-formal attire for the gala. Depending on the level of sponsorship
received, Staff estimates ticket prices for seniors at $20-$25 and $40-$45 for regular paying gllests. A
discount for couples could be implemented to increase ticket sales.
RIBBON-CUTTING AND OPEN HOUSE
The second event could serve as the official ribbon-cutting for the facility and would be promoted to the
generaI public. It could be held during the daytime and feature a "health and wellness" theme. The event
would begin with the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Following the ribbon-cutting the public would be invited
to participate in a variety of activities and interactive booths that promote healthy, active lifestyles. This
would feature instructors that teach leisure classes for the City, vendors that could provide health analysis
(blood pressure testing, cholesterol testing, etc.), and service providers that are available to assist Dublin
residcnts with living healthy lifestyles. Activities would also be developed that would be geared toward
promoting healthy lifestyles for youth. Entertainment and food could be featured in the Main Hall. A
pancake breakfast in the Main Hall may be a good way to attract more people to the event.
Staff has contacted Eden Housing to determine if they would want to participate in the City's Opcn House
in some manner. Eden Housing indicated that they would conduct an Open House on the same day as the
City's. They would open the common areas of the Senior Housing Building as well as one of the units for
viewing as part of the Open House.
SUMMARY
The Parks and Community Services Commission considered this item at the Commission meeting in
April. The Commissioners unanimously recommended approval of the two events to the City Council.
As noted earlier the dates for the events have not been determined yet. Staff anticipates having a firm date
for the completion of construction in about a month and wi11 report hack to City Council for approval of
possible dates for both events at that time.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Council receive the report, provide input on the preliminary event plans and direct
Staff to move forward with planning.
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