Hayden Senior Center relocates
A sign on the front door of the Hayden Senior Center on Government Way shares the good news about the center's relocation to the Coeur d'Alene Shriners Building at 1250 W. Lancaster Rd. in Post Falls.
ELLI GOLDMAN HILBERT/Press
The location on Government Way that was home to the Hayden Senior Center for the past 26 years, now sits empty and available for lease. The Hayden seniors have gladly relocated to the Coeur d'Alene Shriners building at 1250 W. Lancaster Rd. in Post Falls.
From left Hayden Senior Center Executive Director Lisa Martin, Board Chair Katherine Hanna and Treasurer Kathy Verburg, at the old location on Government Way in February. The senior center was facing a crisis in when rent was increased from $3,475 to $5,800. The Coeur d'Alene Shriners read about their predicament and offered to provide space for the group at a price they could afford.
HAYDEN — In February the Hayden senior center clients were in a tough spot. After occupying the same location on Government Way for 26 years, the rent was increased by about 62%, from $3,475 to $5,800 per month. That was beyond the center's budget.
After reading a story in The Coeur d’Alene Press, the Coeur d’Alene Shriners reached out in hopes of offering help. And help they did.
“We reopened last week,” said Katherine Hanna, Hayden Seniors board chair, on Monday. “Our new building is very nice. It’s nicer than our Government Way location was.”
The Northern Lakes Fire Department sent 16 firefighters to help them move, said Hayden Senior Center executive director Lisa Martin. They also had help from their many faithful volunteers, Martin said.
For at least the next two years, The Hayden senior Gems, as they affectionately call themselves, have a new home at the Shriners building at 1250 W. Lancaster Road in Hayden. Continuing right where they left off, the senior center remains open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
The Shriners building boasts a larger and more modern kitchen and a larger meeting space, Hanna said. No longer do the seniors need to set up tables and chairs and break them down following an event, making gatherings less stressful to prepare for, Hanna said.
“We’re going to get our feet back under us, and get some more fundraising done,” Hanna said.
The center is vital for the close to 200 seniors who count on it for the social opportunities, exercise and daily-served meals. Tai-Chi, line dancing, bingo and other activities are regularly planned. Relationships are built, and needs are met.
“It’s so much more than a building,” said board treasurer Kathy Verburg, in a February interview with The Press. “It’s a culture. It’s a community. It’s a family.”
The Shriners space more than meets the needs of the senior center clients. The new building is definitely a “move-up,” Hanna said.
A September Bingo & Brews is being planned as the next fundraiser. Visit haydenseniorcenter.org for a full schedule of upcoming events and activities. The phone system is still in the installation stage but the phone number, 208-762-7052 remains the same.
“We’re moving right along,” Hanna said. “Even if we’re a little on the slow side.”
The Hayden Senior Gems are still in search of their own permanent building, Martin said.
