43
SCOPE Senior Services of Trumbull County could operate its programs at Niles wellness center
By Jordan Cohen
NILES
If the city is unable to find a bidder to lease its financially distressed Wellness Center in Waddell Park, it may have another option: SCOPE Senior Services of Trumbull County, which could operate its programs there.
“We would certainly be interested and do whatever we could to help,” said Mike Wilson, SCOPE director.
SCOPE operates six senior centers in Trumbull County, one of them on State Street in a building owned by the city. Wilson said the Niles center serves an average of 100 seniors per day, offering fitness and sports activities, which the Wellness Center could easily house.
The possibility of SCOPE’s involvement came to light when Scott MacMillan, who is resigning from the center Thursday, told The Vindicator he had discussed the possibility of SCOPE conducting its programs at the center in the daytime with its own personnel. That would free Niles from paying city employees during those hours.
MacMillan was the former full-time director at the center who was reduced to part-time athletic scheduler in September 2015 as an austerity move to stem continuing financial losses. The facility has been without a director ever since.
Niles has been in state-declared fiscal emergency since October 2014, and the Wellness Center has been a contributing factor. It has lost an estimated $1 million since it opened in 2009. The city’s general fund is burdened by an annual $240,000 payment on the loan that financed construction even though center programs, youth soccer in particular, have been profitable.
“We actually talked to the administration before we talked to Scott,” Wilson said. “If we’re just assisting them by being there and helping with manpower issues, then we wouldn’t be taking on any financial responsibility.
The latest amended version of the fiscal recovery plan requires the city to lease the center for the loan amount annually for three years. The city will advertise for a five-week period for a bidder. If one is found and accepted by city council, the general fund will save $160,000 yearly. The burden will fall on Mayor Thomas Scarnecchia to respond promptly with an alternative if the lease effort fails.
“If it turns out we’re going to need a Plan B, then the mayor must have one that’s ready to go immediately,” Marino said.
City Auditor Giovanne Merlo said a Plan B that might involve SCOPE will have to be worked out “with all parties at the table. We don’t want to make a decision that would hinder the needs [of the seniors].”
Scarnecchia, who was away from his office late last week due to illness, could not be reached for comment. The mayor earlier said it is “highly probable” that a bidder will be found. He has not publicly commented about a Plan B other than to say he is working on one.
“We’re certainly open to creating a partnership,” said SCOPE’s Wilson, emphasizing that the organization does not want to incur additional expenses should it become the administration’s Plan B. “We would need some modifications, but it is doable.”