Grand Forks city council has agreed to pick up most of the cost of installing an automated door at the seniors centre.
In making the request this week, representatives from the seniors society explained their organization has bounced back since the 2018 flood devastated their building at 565 71st Avenue in City Park. Membership fell from about 130 to less than 50.
In 2021, city council approved using an insurance settlement to fund repairs to the building, which was finally back in business in early 2024. Membership has since climbed close to 200.
However, the building lacks an automated front door.
“For many of our members, safely entering and exiting the building has become a genuine challenge,” the society wrote in their presentation.
“A standard manual door — particularly one that must be pulled with force — creates a real barrier and safety risk for individuals with mobility limitations, walkers, wheelchairs, or reduced strength. This is not a convenience issue; it is a safety and accessibility issue.”
The society received a quote from a local locksmith for about $3,600. They asked that the city pick up the tab and provide some in-kind electrical work.
Councillor Christine Thompson initially suggested the city agree to the request and amend its financial plan accordingly.
“We do have seniors that have mobility issues and I would like to see it done sooner rather than later to accommodate those individuals,” she said.
Councillor Rod Zielinksi agreed that it was worthwhile making the fix, but didn’t think it was a good look for the city to be tinkering with its recently-approved budget.
“When a budget’s complete and you’re saying that we can find $3,500 out of the air, to a taxpayer, it kind of says, well, what other places have you padded the budget on? I think it’s a valuable project. It should have been done years ago. But to just say, hey, let’s try and pull $3,500 out of the air, I don’t think is a prudent management decision.”
City manager Duncan Redfearn said there would be options for finding the money.
Councillor David Mark said the new door should have been installed when the seniors centre was rebuilt. He preferred a cost sharing agreement, “because it is a benefit to their organization which does use the facility to generate revenue.”
He proposed the city pay $3,000 and the society pick up the other $600. Thompson agreed to amend her motion accordingly, which was approved by council. Mark suggested the society might be able to get a grant from the Phoenix Foundation for its portion. The city’s contribution will also include the requested electrical work.
