Highlands Ranch Senior Center Facts & FAQs Like many large new projects in the community, the Highlands Ranch Senior Center project has generated a great deal of interest and questions. General Manager Mike Renshaw, who is overseeing this project, sat down to answer questions related to the future senior center. Q: How will the senior center be funded? A: One-time capital funding for the construction of the senior center comes from cash on hand, generated from system development fees and interest earned on those fee collections. System development fees are paid by the developer at the time of construction of new development. The business plan for operations of the senior center assumes funding from user fees and property taxes. The long-term financial forecast for the Metro District does not anticipate any change to mill levy rates to fund operations of the senior center. Q: What traffic improvements related to the senior center will be done on Highlands Ranch Parkway and/or the nearby intersection? A: All traffic components in this area will meet Douglas County traffic requirements. The main entrance to the senior center is proposed to be located across from Ridgeglen Way, more than 1,400 feet east of the Broadway/Highlands Ranch Parkway intersection. A secondary right in/right out is proposed at the west end of the site, which is approximately 1,000 feet east of Broadway. Douglas County is proposing to make improvements to the Broadway/Highlands Ranch Parkway intersection. These improvements were planned prior to selection of this site for the senior center. Their traffic engineering staff will be conducting
a planning and design study for the Broadway/Highlands Ranch Parkway intersection. There will be an opportunity for the public to participate in the study. When that opportunity is available, it will be posted to the project page at www.highlandsranch.org/seniorcenter.
Q: What impact will the senior center have on the gulch/stormwater channel in the area? A: The master plans for drainage include planning for development. The runoff from this site will be treated by the appropriate methods to comply with Douglas County stormwater requirements. The runoff from this site will have an insignificant impact on flood elevations, less than ½”, and on flood rates, less than ½ of 1%. Q: What impact, if any, will the construction of the senior center have on our community’s water supply? A: There are no wells owned by Centennial Water & Sanitation District located on or in the vicinity of this site. Construction of the senior center will not have an adverse impact on Centennial’s water supply system. Centennial Water utilizes a network of non-tributary wells as a small part of a conjunctive use system that supplements the renewable surface water portfolio for service to its customers. These wells are defined as non-tributary by Colorado water law and Douglas County as: “Non-tributary groundwater is water that is physically separated from surface water by impermeable layers in the aquifer. It is also considered non-tributary when the groundwater is at such a great distance from the surface water that it has little or no hydraulic connection with it.”
Q: What is the land designation for the senior center site? A: A senior center is an allowed use on this site. Open space parcels are part of the Nonurban Area identified in the 1979 Highlands Ranch Development Guide. “It is the intent of the Nonurban Area to provide land for education and recreational opportunities, public facilities, quasi-public facilities, other uses which are oriented toward community activities and services with the new Town.” Uses Permitted by Right in the Nonurban Area include Parks and recreational facilities, including, but not limited to: Community and neighborhood recreation centers (public or private) and Special District offices.” Q: How will activities and programming at the senior center be different from the existing recreation centers? A: The programs at the senior center will be developed to specifically address the needs and interests of participants age 55 and older. Currently there are programrelated insurance plans that cannot be provided by the HRCA at the community’s recreation centers. Insurance-based exercise programs are being considered by senior center staff so Highlands Ranch residents can apply their insurance benefit to programs at the senior center. The senior center will not duplicate the type of fitness equipment provided at the recreation centers, but will offer fitness, wellness and recreational activities and programs, socialization opportunities, educational and enrichment programming and information and referrals to services for adults age 55+. Q: What types of amenities are planned for the senior center? A: Amenities at the senior center will provide for a variety of indoor and outdoor opportunities. • Indoor activity space for learning and enrichment classes, cards, games, crafts, computer station, coffee and snack bar, lending library and multiple sitting areas for socializing.
• Indoor and outdoor fitness classes (low impact fitness, balance and mobility classes such as Tai Chi, Gentle Yoga, Stretch & Flex, Sit & Be Fit and more). • Private consultation rooms for wellness checks, education, counseling, massage and more. • Multi-purpose indoor space, with access to the outdoors for luncheons, meetings and parties. • Outdoor patio seating to simply enjoy the outdoors, participate in social programming, recreational opportunities such as Bocce Ball, gardening and more. Q: How will senior center memberships be established and what are the benefits? A: Membership will provide access to the facility for drop-in activities, free programs, and a reduced rate for fee-based classes. Membership options may include: • Day visit/monthly pass/annual membership • Resident/non-resident rates for membership fees • Member/non-member rates for fee-based classes and activities Additional FAQs, a project schedule and comprehensive project information is available at highlandsranch.org/seniorcenter. Sign up for project update eNewsletters by sending an email to info@highlandsranch.org with Sign Me Up for Senior Center Updates in the project line.