YORK COUNTY, Pa. — The Red Land Senior Center is facing an unexpected relocation after over 12 years as its landlord, Wyndamere Heights Evangelical Church, says it needs the space currently occupied by the seniors. The move comes as seniors say the venue has become a second home for many in the community.
The senior center’s Executive Director, Carman Banzaca, said the nonprofit was notified of its eviction during a board meeting last week.
“We had been in negotiations with Wyndamere Evangelical Church, trying to do a transitionary process of ownership, and we were made aware that we are no longer a candidate for negotiations," Banzaca explained. "It came as a shock, but the church has been very gracious to us, [and] we’re just not part of their future plans."
Church leadership was not available for comment at the time of this article and did not disclose to senior center board members what the space will be used for after they vacate.
The center has rented space at Wyndamere Heights Evangelical Church for more than 12 years and had plans to purchase a permanent space there. Recently, the group used a portion of its funding to install more accessible bathroom features for its seniors and automatic doors to make it easier for those with limited mobility or walking devices to get in and out of the building.
Melissa Hadley, a dedicated visitor for nearly a decade, expressed the deeper meaning the center provides.
“It gives you a purpose," she shared. "You know you get up in the morning, and you have someplace to go or something to do."
Though the lease with the church may soon conclude, those who attended the center found a home in the fellowship they’ve built.
“So many times you’re so isolated and your family’s busy doing other things [that] you don’t see your kids everyday [and] you don't see your grandkids," Hadley stated. This is what you have, and this is our family.”
While those connections can be comforting in times of uncertainty, emotions are still running high.
“I went home in tears," said Shirley Wilt, a long-time visitor and board member of the center. "We had worked so hard to make this something for everyone to do.”
Ahead of this transition, the center is reaching out to the Northern York community for assistance in finding a new, permanent home.
The property should be:
Located in Newberry or Fairview Townships
ADA-compliant or could be renovated to be ADA-compliant
Around 9,000+ square feet with kitchen facilities in place or able to be installed
Affordable for a non-profit organization
While the building’s landlord has yet to set a specific vacate date, the center must find a solution soon to ensure that services for seniors continue uninterrupted.
“There will be no discontinuation, no lapse in service," Banzaca stated. "We will end on a Friday and be ready to resume again that next Monday, wherever we end up.”
This could mean renting a temporary space to operate out of until the center can find a more permanent location.
Hadley emphasized the importance of finding the right space specifically for the seniors, stating that having their own building would be a relief as it would be uniquely theirs. They wouldn’t have to move again, and any funds put towards improving it would directly benefit the seniors.
Community members are encouraged to submit location ideas for the senior center by email at ideas@redlandseniorcenter.org.