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"Our Place" Senior Center Survey

Thank you for taking a few minutes to help shape the future of Horizons East Central Iowa’s new Cedar Rapids Senior Center.

Several years ago, we asked our community to share their ideas, priorities, and hopes for a new senior center. You responded with thoughtful feedback that helped create the vision for a welcoming, vibrant destination where older adults can connect, learn, stay active, and thrive.

Because of your input, we launched a $5.5 million Senior Center Project designed to support the five pillars of healthy aging: social connection, nutrition, physical activity, lifelong learning, and the arts. The new center will feature ample parking, a fitness studio, café, game room, three flexible activity spaces, a library, resource rooms, and an outdoor pickleball court—all designed to meet the evolving needs and interests of older adults in our community.

Today, we are excited to share that $4.2 million has been raised, and Phase I construction is underway. Construction remains on schedule, and we look forward to welcoming the community when the new Senior Center opens in Spring 2027.

As we are preparing for opening, a volunteer Program Committee has begun planning the activities, classes, events, and services that will fill this beautiful new space. Once again, we need your help.

Your feedback will help us determine which programs are most important, what times work best, and what new opportunities you would like to see offered. Whether you plan to visit the center regularly or occasionally, your voice is important.

Together, we are creating more than a building—we are creating a place where people can build friendships, improve their health, discover new interests, share their talents, and remain engaged in our community for years to come.

Thank you for partnering with us once again. We look forward to hearing your ideas and welcoming you to the new Senior Center in Spring 2027.

Project Snapshot

Campaign Goal - $5.5 Million
Raised to Date - $4.2 Million
Construction Started -March 2026
Planned Opening -Spring 2027


The Five Pillars of Healthy Aging:

🤝 Social Connection: Friendships, clubs, games, volunteering and community.

🥗 Nutrition: Healthy meals, café offerings, cooking and wellness.

💪 Physical Activity: Fitness, balance, walking, pickleball and healthy aging.

📚 Lifelong Learning: Technology, lectures, travel, history and new skills.

🎨 Arts & Creativity: Painting, music, crafts, writing and performances.
1. About You
1.What is your age?
2.Where do you live?
3.How often do you think you would use the Senior Center in a typical week?
4.When are you usually available to visit? (Check all that apply)
5.How did you hear about the new Senior Center?
2. Hours of Operation
6.On which days would you likely come to the Senior Center? (Check all that apply)
7.What opening time would work best for you? (Check all the apply)
8.What closing time would work best for you most days? (Check all that apply)
9.How interested are you in one late-evening night each week?
10.How interested are you in weekend hours? (Saturday)
11.How interested are you in early morning access to fitness or pickleball before regular classes start?
12.1. If you have specific preferences for hours (for example, “open early three days a week,” or “later hours on Tuesdays”), please describe:
3. Class Times
13.When would you MOST like classes or activities to start? (Check all that apply)
14.How long do you prefer most classes to be?
15.How often would you like recurring classes to meet? (check all the apply)
4. Class Subjects, Activities, and Membership
16.How interested are you in the following Health & Wellness activities? (Check all that apply)
17.How interested are you in the following Social & Recreation activities? (Check all that apply)
18.Which of the following Lifelong Learning & Creativity activities are you interested in? (Check all that apply
19.Which of the following Support & Services are you interested in? (Check all that apply)
20.If you marked interested in technology help/classes, which technology interests you? (Check all that apply)
21.1. How would you most likely participate in these activities?
22.Where do you currently participate in activities? (Check all that apply)
23.What do you enjoy about those programs?
24.If you could only attend ONE new program your first month, what would it be?
25.What NEW classes, clubs, or activities would you personally be excited to attend that were not listed above?
5. Spaces and Amenities
26.How important are the following spaces or features to you at the Senior Center? Rate each: Very important / Somewhat important / Not important.
27.How often would you purchase food or beverages?
28.What would you most like available? (Check all the apply)
29.When it comes to center furniture; do you prefer chairs:
30.When it comes to center furniture; do you prefer chairs:
31.Do you have any adaptive needs (Checks all that apply)
Is there anything specific you would like to see in these spaces. Please write your answers:
32.The café or dining area (menu ideas, atmosphere, special meal events)?
33.The fitness area (types of equipment, beginner‑friendly options)?
34.The library/quiet space (large print books, computers, tech help, etc.)?
35.Billiards/Games Room (what kind of games, cards, darts, etc)?
6. Scheduling and Transportation
36.Will transportation needs affect when you can come to the Senior Center?
37.Would any of the following help you participate more often? (Check all that apply.)
38.Not including transportation, what reasons might prevent you from visiting the center?
7. Field Trips and Outings
39.How interested are you in going on group field trips or day outings with the Senior Center?
40.How often would you like the Senior Center to offer field trips?
41.How far from Cedar Rapids would you be comfortable traveling for a typical day trip?
42.What types of field trips would you be interested in? (Check all that apply.)
43.What would make it easier or more comfortable for you to join field trips?
(Examples: type of transportation, walking distances, cost range, accessibility needs, rest breaks, etc.)
8. Overall Experience
44.What would make the Senior Center feel welcoming and comfortable for you, and what would be your perfect day at the Senior Center?
(Examples: noise level, décor, staff approach, diversity of programs, etc.)
45.Is there anything that would prevent you from using the Senior Center regularly that we should know about?
46.How would you like to hear about upcoming programs? (Check all the apply)
47.Would you like information about when the center opens?
48.If yes, please enter you email and phone number
49.Would you consider volunteering? (Check all that apply)
50.Thank you for completing this survey! Your input will help make the Senior Center accessible for all older adults in our community.

You are now eligible to be entered into a raffle for a prize! Please provide your name and contact information to be entered.
Thank you!