Senior Village is excited to announce that we are in escrow to purchase the vacant credit union building on Oracle Road in Catalina, next to Sammy’s restaurant. This building, already configured for offices and complete with furnishings, offers ample parking and is just a short five-minute drive from SaddleBrooke. This decision comes as a fiscally responsible answer to the urgent need for an office space.
Currently, Senior Village operates out of four different locations on loan: a casita for the Executive Director, a casita for meetings and office supplies, and two other casitas for various functions. Our full-time Executive Director and six part-time staff manage administrative, financial and organizational duties from their homes or these casitas. With the organization's rapid growth, this approach has become unsustainable.
In the past two years, Senior Village membership has increased from 1,529 to 2,068 members, a 35 percent rise. Our volunteer ranks have grown from 282 to 408, a 45 percent increase. Annually, volunteer drivers log about 55,000 miles transporting members, and team volunteers commit thousands of hours of time and talent. This expansion highlights the pressing need for a dedicated office space for collaborating, sharing ideas, training and discussing plans.
At the same time, Senior Village has encountered numerous delays while engaging contractors to gather the information needed for the Pinal County rezoning application. The goal remains the same: to build a small office on the Acacia Hills Lane property adjacent to SaddleBrooke. However, it is taking contractors much longer than expected to complete soil, drainage and topography studies, as well as architectural drawings. All elements must be completed before the rezoning application can be submitted to the Pinal County Planning & Zoning Commission. The process has been challenging.
The Senior Village Board of Directors addressed the critical need for office space during an all-day planning retreat in April. After thoroughly evaluating the situation, they decided that the best solution was to purchase the Oracle Road building. Unfortunately, HOA-1 and HOA-2 have no land available to build an office, and constructing a small office on Acacia Hills Lane will likely take a few years. Once escrow is closed, the Catalina building will enable Senior Village to keep pace with the expanding numbers of members, volunteers and services that improve the everyday lives of SaddleBrooke residents. The organization looks forward to moving ahead with the purchase and the application for rezoning. Stay tuned for more information!
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