The Hoodland Senior Center faces an uncertain future as Clackamas County considers ending ownership of the building the center has occupied since 2012.

Senior Center director Ella Vogel noted Representatives of Clackamas County
Social Services told the local not-for-profit in July 2020 to prepare for the sale
of their current venue.

“There’s a good possibility we’d have to shut down,” Vogel said about the
possible loss of the venue.

County representatives have been unable to provide a decision on the sale or
a timeline for the not-for-profit to find a new community space since the July
announcement, leaving the center concerned about its ability to continue to
provide the community services it currently offers.

The building that the Hoodland Senior Center occupies was originally built by
the U.S. Forest Service as an information center. Clackamas County Tourism
and Cultural Affairs purchased the building following the closure of the
information center and entered into an agreement to rent the property to the
senior center for $1 a month in 2012.

The center’s lease with the county states, “because the property was
purchased with transient room tax revenue, this arrangement must have a
“tourism” benefit to justify the occupation by a lessee for below market value
rent. This arrangement will benefit the traveling public by making public
restroom facilities available.”

Vogel noted that the senior center’s lease includes an agreement to purchase
all supplies for the public restrooms and to keep them clean. The lease details
that all maintenance and repairs of the building are the responsibility of the
county.

The county tourism department implemented a 75 percent budget cut as a
result of pandemic related tourism revenue shortages in May of 2020. At that
time the oversight of the senior center building was transferred to the social
services department. The county has made a decision to evaluate continued
ownership of the building due to revenue shortages.

“The income we have to keep facilities is gone,” said Kimberly Dinwiddie,
Clackamas County public information officer.

The county has not yet begun an evaluation of the building. The evaluation
will factor in maintenance and repair costs including a new roof.

Dinwiddie stated that “all options are on the table” and that the county will
begin “gathering facts to form opinions” to present their findings to the Board
of County Commissioners (BCC) in the summer. A decision on the building is
expected to be made by the BCC in the fall.

“These conversations are very early,” Dinwiddie said. “We’re a long way from
making a decision.”

The Senior Center offers programs and provides opportunities that promote
independent living for senior adults aging in place in the county’s rural
communities.

The Senior Center uses its current location to provide a Meals on Wheels
program for seniors 60 years of age or older in Alder Creek, Sandy,
Brightwood, Rhododendron and Welches. The organization provides medical
rides, food boxes, energy assistance and information and assistance
connecting with Clackamas County resources. The center serves as a meeting
space for community organizations such as local water districts, the Hoodland
Women’s Club, the Trillium Garden Club, classes, study groups, tai chi and the
Welches mobile library.

“We realize the Senior Center plays a pivotal role in our communities, not only
with the services it provides, but as a gathering place. We intend to keep the
community informed on the decision-making process,” Dinwiddie said.

The Hoodland Senior Center is located at 65000 E. Hwy. 26 in the Mount Hood
Village RV Resort and can be reached by phone at (503) 622-3331.