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# Grand Junction backs off its plan to move the Senior Recreation Center
- URL: https://www.westernslopetrellis.com/grand-junction-keeps-senior-recreation-center/
- Published: 2026-10-22T16:02:02.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-22T16:02:02.000Z
- Description: City Manager Mike Bennett says the city will keep the center at 550 Ouray Ave. and cover about $100,000 a year in building costs. The 2027 budget it came from still has one workshop and two hearings to go.
- Author: Western Slope Trellis Staff
- Tags: Civic, Grand Junction, Mesa County, #GrandJunction, #Mesa, #LocalGov, #PressRelease

Grand Junction 

The Senior Recreation Center will stay at 550 Ouray Ave. City Manager Mike Bennett announced Wednesday that the city will write a new agreement with the nonprofit that runs the center, dropping a proposal in his recommended 2027 budget that had drawn heavy public opposition.

The city's [Oct. 21 announcement](https://www.gjcity.org/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/2295?ref=westernslopetrellis.com) says the recommended budget will be revised to cover about $100,000 a year in facility and utility costs for the center in 2027\. The city and the nonprofit's board aim to have the new agreement in place by January.

## Why it was on the table

The proposal was part of the city's attempt to close a structural deficit it says has been building since 2021\. Over that stretch, city expenses rose 53 percent while revenue grew 30 percent. Bennett's release frames the senior center item as one of several difficult cuts that looked reasonable on paper.

"I recognize we could have handled this better, and I take responsibility for that," Bennett said in the city's release.

The release also thanks residents who pushed back and draws a line at personal attacks, saying it was constructive feedback that changed the outcome.

## The budget is still moving

The senior center was one line in a larger budget that City Council has not yet adopted. The [city's schedule](https://www.gjcity.org/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/2278?ref=westernslopetrellis.com) has one workshop left and two public hearings:

- **Budget Workshop #2**: Monday, Oct. 26, 4 p.m., Fire Training Room, 625 Ute Ave.
- **First public hearing**: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 5:30 p.m., City Hall Auditorium, 250 N. 5th St.
- **Second hearing and adoption**: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 5:30 p.m., City Hall Auditorium

Public comment is taken at the two regular council meetings. Agendas, packets and video are on the city's [Agendas and Minutes page](https://www.gjcity.org/129/Agendas-Minutes?ref=westernslopetrellis.com).

### What's next

Watch the Oct. 26 workshop for how the $100,000 gets backfilled and whether other proposed cuts shift as a result. The new operating agreement with the nonprofit is due by January 2027.