Routt County Council on Aging has set its sights on opening a designated Senior Center on the northwest side of Steamboat Springs to serve its growing number of aging clients and the increasing percentage of seniors in the county by October 2028.

The nonprofit agency is asking for community and donor support to raise an additional $2.8 million by Sept. 1 to close on a 13,000-square-foot building for sale at 1855 Shield Drive. The building currently houses business tenants iFurnish furniture store and the longtime Interiors with Altitude design company.

The capital campaign for a Senior Center is called “Building a Stronger Community for Older Adults” and has gathered $1.2 million so far toward an overall $6.4 million goal, said April Sigman, Council on Aging executive director. The goal includes funds to purchase the building as well as $1 million for renovations and equipment and $1 million for an endowment fund to maintain the building.

“There is a huge growing senior population in Routt County, and that need for community and connection is vital to mental and physical health,” Sigman said. “We are really excited about this opportunity for Routt County to have a Senior Center.”

Jean Levine, Council on Aging board president, said community support is key for the nonprofit group to be eligible to apply for various outside grants.

“The enthusiasm that I’ve seen from community support has been very encouraging,” Levine said. “There is a need in the community to be filled for seniors to keep active, healthy and interactive.”

Board member and volunteer Ben Blonder, who spoke on Tuesday while delivering Meals on Wheels lunches, agreed that a designated Senior Center is needed to serve the population.

“We serve so many different needs in the community that we need our own designated facility to be able to do that effectively,” Blonder said.

Inside the building the council has under contract, the agency plans to add a commercial kitchen, five offices and four large designated rooms for programming for dining, exercise classes, game playing and educational meetings, Sigman said.

Blonder, also a Realtor, said the Council on Aging will honor the leases for the two current businesses that extend through September 2027. iFurnish co-owner Kelly Pestello said the business plans to maintain its Steamboat location, but the owners are looking for a new location for October 2027.

The Council on Aging reports its client base is growing along with the Routt County senior population, including a 63% increase since 2019 for meal service and an 18% increase in transportation service. The agency also added a well-received Helping Hands home care service and assumed leadership of the Aging Well exercise program in Routt County.

During 2024, the council served 18,237 meals both in person and through Meals on Wheels and provided 2,623 rides. In addition, 54 volunteers provided 5,600 service hours last year. The organization provides such offerings as bingo, bridge, mahjong, caregivers support group, field trips, knitters group, tea and talk, special events and dance, exercise and art classes.

“RCCOA services are a lifeline for basic needs and socialization in our community,” Sigman said.

The council’s campaign letter points out the Colorado State Demography Office statistic that the population of adults age 65 and older will nearly double between 2020 and 2050, and that in Northwest Colorado, adults age 60 and older account for 24% of the population.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Routt County is home to an estimated population of 25,243 as of July 1, 2024, with 19.8% age 65 and older.

Sigman said a designated Senior Center has been a dream of the organization for about six years when a capital campaign committee was formed. The organization has been housed inside the Steamboat Springs Community Center since 2009. The independent nonprofit serves clients from Steamboat, Hayden, Oak Creek and northern Routt County.

“We appreciate the relationship with the city for our current space, but we are limited in our services and growth because of the shared space,” Sigman said.

The public fundraising campaign started June 5 with a “paddle raise” event that raised $352,000 overall, including four donors who raised their paddles to commit $30,000 each, Sigman said. The capital campaign allows community gifts or pledges to be paid across three years from 2025 to 2028.

The director said the council hopes to bring back a previous model in the community with a child care facility next to a senior facility by partnering with a child care agency to utilize a portion of the building space.

“We are exploring whatever options are a good fit,” Sigman said.

Interested donors can contribute to the Senior Center campaign directly through Routt County Council on Aging at Rccoaging.org or through the Yampa Valley Community Foundation.