In most communities, senior centers are operated and funded by city governments. Laguna Beach — as is often the case — is different. Historically, our town has not generated sufficient tax revenues for all the capital projects we need. Even so, the City supports its seniors in many ways: Community Assistant Grants help to fund outreach, nutrition, and transportation services provided by Laguna Beach Seniors and others.
In 2004, LBS and the City took a significant additional step: LBS agreed to pay a $2.5 million share-of-cost for a combined senior/community center to be built by the City. The agreement gave LBS a 99-year lease at one dollar per year. The Susi Q Senior Center, which opened early in 2009, is an independent and integral part of a multi-generational center in the heart of town. Right where we want to be.
Who needs the Susi Q? Everyone in Laguna Beach who is older — or hopes to be — needs (and deserves) a place to go for information, services, support, and good company. The Susi Q is a warm and welcoming place, with a rich array of services driven by the diverse needs of our members. Our social, practical, and educational programs promote lifelong learning, wellness, independence, and community. Our outreach program creates a circle of care for frail seniors, their families, friends, and neighbors.
The Susi Q is not only for the aging but for the ages. Future generations who once used the community center when they were children will be able to turn to the Susi Q for services that promote their independence, wellness, and community.
THE SUSI Q SENIOR CENTER IS A COMPONENT OF A LARGER PROJECT: A COMBINED SENIOR/ COMMUNITY CENTER BUILT BY THE CITY AT 380 THIRD STREET IN DOWNTOWN LAGUNA BEACH. THE 19,000 SQUARE FOOT PROJECT CONSISTS OF AN 8,000 SQUARE FOOT SENIOR CENTER WING AND A 7,500 SQUARE FOOT COMMUNITY CENTER WING, LINKED BY 3,500 SQUARE FEET OF SHARED SPACE (LOBBIES, OFFICES, AND RESTROOMS). THE CENTER ALSO HAS 7,700 SQUARE FEET OF OPEN SPACE AND THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE SITS ATOP A 71-CAR PARKING GARAGE. THE BUILDING IS FULLY ADA-COMPLIANT.
TIMELINE
1999 • LBS Board, under the leadership of President Louise Buckley, votes to build a senior center that LBS would own and operate. • 2000 • Vision Laguna — a community-based project to develop a shared vision of Laguna over the next 30 years — identifies a new senior center as one of its priorities. • 2001 • Led by Paul Freeman and Steve Dicterow, the City of Laguna Beach agrees to purchase property on Third Street for a Community Center and Senior Center. • The City obtains a $379,000 grant from the State to help with the new building. • 2002 • Led by President Marthann Newton, LBS initiates Project Senior Center, a capital campaign to build, furnish, and endow a new senior center. • LBS receives its first room-naming pledges. • Skipper Lynn becomes President. The board focuses on strategies to raise funds for operations as well as the capital campaign. • 2003 • Led by President Pauline Walpin, LBS enters an intensive, ongoing phase of capacity building in order to strengthen the agency and prepare it for a new home.• Elizabeth Pearson takes on leadership responsibilities for Project Senior Center. • 2004 • The City Council certifies the EIR for the Community and Senior Centers, after Planning Commission review. • LBS agrees to a one story building because of the daunting fundraising goal and neighborhood opposition to a 2-story structure. • LBS signs a Joint Development Agreement with the City, which caps its share of construction costs at $2.5 million, after $138,000 in initial development costs. LBS also commits to raising an additional $250,000 for furnishings and fixtures. • 2005 • Plans are finalized for a single structure with two wings, one for a community center and one for a senior center, with shared space in the middle for staff. • The four sons of Elizabeth Quilter pledge $750,000 to name the Susi Q Senior Center. • Elizabeth Pearson steps down as Capital Campaign Chair, but remains LBS liaison to the City. The new Chair is Ann Quilter, later joined by Darrcy Loveland Bickel as Co-Chair. • The Hearts of Montage, the foundation of the Montage Resorts & Spa, announces a $350,000 challenge grant and gives an additional $150,000 to underwrite the costs of the capital campaign. • “Lagunatics 2005: Senior Prom” is the first major fundraiser for the Project Senior Center capital campaign. It nets $50,000 which is matched by the Hearts of Montage. • The City and LBS agree to a shared parking management plan to cut the cost of underground parking. The new parking structure has 71 full-sized spaces, including handicap parking and a wheelchair accessible elevator. • Additional room and other naming opportunities are sold at the LBS Holiday Party. • 2006 • June: by a 4-0 vote, the City Council approves the plans and $15 million budget for the senior/community center. • October: the Planning Commission approves the Conditional Use Permit and revised Environmental Impact Report for the project. • November: the Planning Commission unanimously approves the plans for the project, with the addition of side windows and changes to the Third Street wall. • December: the City Council gives final approval to the project. • Fundraising efforts continue throughout the year, with just over $2 million in cash and irrevocable pledges raised. • 2007 • Groundbreaking takes place on April 3, 2007. Additional major donors pledge gifts to the capital campaign, which continues throughout the year. • 2008 • The capital campaign announces in February that it has met its $2.5 million obligation to the City and was making progress towards raising $300,000 for furnishings and fixtures. The agency has a new Transition Committee to plan for a smooth launch at the Susi Q. • January 31, 2009 • The Susi Q Senior Center is dedicated.
1999 • LBS Board, under the leadership of President Louise Buckley, votes to build a senior center that LBS would own and operate. • 2000 • Vision Laguna — a community-based project to develop a shared vision of Laguna over the next 30 years — identifies a new senior center as one of its priorities. • 2001 • Led by Paul Freeman and Steve Dicterow, the City of Laguna Beach agrees to purchase property on Third Street for a Community Center and Senior Center. • The City obtains a $379,000 grant from the State to help with the new building. • 2002 • Led by President Marthann Newton, LBS initiates Project Senior Center, a capital campaign to build, furnish, and endow a new senior center. • LBS receives its first room-naming pledges. • Skipper Lynn becomes President. The board focuses on strategies to raise funds for operations as well as the capital campaign. • 2003 • Led by President Pauline Walpin, LBS enters an intensive, ongoing phase of capacity building in order to strengthen the agency and prepare it for a new home.• Elizabeth Pearson takes on leadership responsibilities for Project Senior Center. • 2004 • The City Council certifies the EIR for the Community and Senior Centers, after Planning Commission review. • LBS agrees to a one story building because of the daunting fundraising goal and neighborhood opposition to a 2-story structure. • LBS signs a Joint Development Agreement with the City, which caps its share of construction costs at $2.5 million, after $138,000 in initial development costs. LBS also commits to raising an additional $250,000 for furnishings and fixtures. • 2005 • Plans are finalized for a single structure with two wings, one for a community center and one for a senior center, with shared space in the middle for staff. • The four sons of Elizabeth Quilter pledge $750,000 to name the Susi Q Senior Center. • Elizabeth Pearson steps down as Capital Campaign Chair, but remains LBS liaison to the City. The new Chair is Ann Quilter, later joined by Darrcy Loveland Bickel as Co-Chair. • The Hearts of Montage, the foundation of the Montage Resorts & Spa, announces a $350,000 challenge grant and gives an additional $150,000 to underwrite the costs of the capital campaign. • “Lagunatics 2005: Senior Prom” is the first major fundraiser for the Project Senior Center capital campaign. It nets $50,000 which is matched by the Hearts of Montage. • The City and LBS agree to a shared parking management plan to cut the cost of underground parking. The new parking structure has 71 full-sized spaces, including handicap parking and a wheelchair accessible elevator. • Additional room and other naming opportunities are sold at the LBS Holiday Party. • 2006 • June: by a 4-0 vote, the City Council approves the plans and $15 million budget for the senior/community center. • October: the Planning Commission approves the Conditional Use Permit and revised Environmental Impact Report for the project. • November: the Planning Commission unanimously approves the plans for the project, with the addition of side windows and changes to the Third Street wall. • December: the City Council gives final approval to the project. • Fundraising efforts continue throughout the year, with just over $2 million in cash and irrevocable pledges raised. • 2007 • Groundbreaking takes place on April 3, 2007. Additional major donors pledge gifts to the capital campaign, which continues throughout the year. • 2008 • The capital campaign announces in February that it has met its $2.5 million obligation to the City and was making progress towards raising $300,000 for furnishings and fixtures. The agency has a new Transition Committee to plan for a smooth launch at the Susi Q. • January 31, 2009 • The Susi Q Senior Center is dedicated.