Costick Center or The Hawk? Seniors weigh in

FARMINGTON HILLS — The results of the Farmington Area Commission on Aging’s listening sessions were presented to the Farmington Hills City Council at a meeting Feb. 10.  The commission listened to seniors who use the Costick Activities Center and noted their concerns.

Commissioners on Aging members Katherine Marshall and Julieene Villani made the presentation.

The findings were based on the more than 200 people who attended two listening sessions that were held Dec. 3. One session was in the morning and the other was held in the afternoon. According to Marshall, the event was well-attended, considering participants had little notice about it.

According to Marshall, 83% of the individuals who attended use the Costick Center more than three times a week.

The Costick Center is located at 28600 W. 11 Mile Road in Farmington Hills.

“People have structured their lives and their retirement around their activities and socialization there,” Marshall said.

One of the primary takeaways from the presentation was that seniors who use the Costick Center do not want their activities moved to The Hawk because of The Hawk’s location, limited parking, smaller size and increased cost.

The Hawk is located at 29995 W. 12 Mile Road, which is a “very difficult traffic area,” according to Marshall.

“You have older folks navigating that area to get into their community space,” she said. “That’s not a good idea.”

It was pointed out at the presentation that there is limited parking at The Hawk, particularly in the summer when kids’ programs are in full swing.

Another concern is small children running through the handicapped parking spaces as they go into or leave the building. Marshall pointed out that seniors have slower reaction times behind the wheel.

“That is an accident waiting to happen,” she said.

The senior programs are outgrowing their current facility at the Costick Center, according to the report, and similar facilities at The Hawk are in smaller areas and cost more money.

Seniors described the pool at The Hawk as too small and too cold. According to Marshall, it does not facilitate the water exercise classes that take place at the Costick Center.

Some seniors are on a fixed income, and according to the report, the classes and programs at The Hawk are more expensive, while the fees at the Costick Center are subsidized and based on income.   

Seniors wanted a larger gym, more space, a bigger kitchen and a food preparation area, according to the report.

“Many of the classes are closed before the flyer even comes out announcing them. That’s how much participation we have,” Marshall said.

Marshall recalled what a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels driver said during one of the listening sessions.

“‘We have a great Meals on Wheels program with hot meals being delivered five days a week, and I don’t want to see this service diminished to a facility that can’t handle food prep.’”

Reportedly, seniors also want larger, safer locker rooms with chairs so they can safely change their clothes.

It was also pointed out that exercise and engagement is integral to seniors’ lives.

“For seniors, it is literally the difference between life and death,”  said Marshall, who cited the comments of a senior at a listening session.

Although Marshall acknowledged that consultants have been hired to advise Farmington Hills City Council members, she pleaded with them to come to the Costick Center to see how people love the center and the activities they are involved in there.

“Your decision will affect many people for many years,” Marshall said.

Marshall noted that other communities in the area are building new senior centers.

“The elderly population in Farmington Hills is growing,” Councilman Michael Bridges said.

He referred to a projection from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, which reported that the number of people between the ages of 80-85 is expected to increase in the next five to 10 years.

From the perspective of Councilman Randy Bruce, neither The Hawk or Costick Center are viable options.

“That Costick Center has just deteriorated to the point where it’s really not able to be maintained in a cost-efficient way,’ Bruce said. “And I understand the Hawk is not really a good option, either.”

Bruce shared what he thinks will happen.

“I think eventually we’ll have to build a new senior center,” Bruce said. “For me, I don’t need consultants to tell me what is going to be best for the terms of that center and for what we need to do.”