The Quad Cities Senior Center will soon open in a new location.
Aging Ahead is moving the senior center from its location at the Masonic Lodge at 221 Bailey Road in Crystal City to the Summit Building at the Crystal City Municipal Park at 1511 Park Drive. Crystal City owns and operates the park and the Summit Building.
Crystal City Administrator Jason Eisenbeis said the senior center’s last day of operation at the Bailey Road location was July 24. It will reopen at its new location at the Summit on Monday, Aug. 4. It will have the same hours, which are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Eisenbeis said an open house is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, at the Summit. The event is open to the public. The open house will include a free lunch and free Kona Ice.
Many of the mayors, fire chiefs and police chiefs from Crystal City, Festus, Pevely and Herculaneum are expected to attend.
M.J. Grothe, chief operating officer for Aging Ahead, said that while the location is changing, seniors can expect many things to remain the same. The staff will be the same, existing programming and activities will continue and the phone number will still be 636-937-8333.
Grothe said Aging Ahead will still offer seniors meals at the Summit as well.
“There is no cost for this service to individuals 60 years of age and older. Our agency is funded through the Older Americans Act. These funds cover a portion of the meal cost. We can offset the cost of meals through generous donations from the community,” Grothe said.
The center suggests those 60 and older provide a $5 donation per meal. Those younger than 60 must pay $10 per meal. To receive a meal, seniors must make a reservation by 1 p.m. the Wednesday before the week the meals are needed.
Eisenbeis said cost increases were the reason behind the location change. The Masonic Lodge requested an increase in rent for the first time in about 20 years, and after studying the lease agreement, it was determined the Quad Cities Senior Center could no longer afford to rent the location.
“The donations that have been the backbone of the Quad City Community Development Corporation since its inception have virtually dried up, and the cities of Crystal City, Festus, Pevely and Herculaneum now make up the bulk of the donations. Aging Ahead pays the monthly rent. Each city pays annual dues of $0.50 per capita, which covers utilities, insurance, accounting, auditing and all building maintenance issues,” Eisenbeis said.
In fiscal year 2024, the Quad City Community Development Corporation (QCCDC) brought in approximately $22,000 in revenue and had $20,375 in expenses, he said.
“The QCCDC spent $5,000 on HVAC repairs to the Masonic building alone last year. That isn’t sustainable,” Eisenbeis said.
He said QCCDC, in partnership with Aging Ahead, has a lease agreement with Crystal City and the Crystal City Park Board for the use of the Summit building. In the agreement, Aging Ahead will pay $700 per month in rent, and the QCCDC will pay $800 a month in utilities.
“This agreement will ensure that the QCCDC is sustainable for years to come,” Eisenbeis said.
He said the new location is ideal for seniors because of its proximity to the park, which has a paved walking path seniors may use before or after visiting the senior center.
Eisenbeis said with the Summit rarely being rented out by the public during weekdays, the partnership with the senior center made sense.
He said the Summit will still be available to rent in the evenings and weekends. To rent the space, contact the City of Crystal City at 636-208-3763.