The future of Salt Lake City’s Tenth East Senior Center is no longer on a fast track to closure. After weeks of backlash from residents and community leaders, the Salt Lake County Council is “pressing pause” on a final decision and exploring options to keep the aging facility alive in some form.
Earlier this month, the council’s narrow 5–4 Republican majority backed a proposal to close the center permanently, even as a $10 million renovation of the building was already underway. Now, amid political, fiscal and emotional pressure, key decision-makers are signaling that the doors may not be closing after all.
Council Hits Pause After Public Pushback
During Tuesday’s meeting, Councilwoman Aimee Winder Newton — who originally proposed the closure on Nov. 4 — told colleagues the council needs time to look at “other options” before voting to shut down the center for good.
The initial closure recommendation came as Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services presented its 2026 budget request of $926,000, citing rising costs and surging demand for senior services countywide.
Human Services Director Kelly Colopy noted:
- The county has seen a 19% increase in older adults over the last five years
- A 28% increase in the senior population is projected over the next decade
That growth, she said, strains existing programs and facilities, particularly those that require costly deferred maintenance.
Supporters of closure argued the move would save millions at a time when the county is wrestling with a proposed nearly 20% tax increase in the upcoming budget. Opponents countered that shutting down a half-renovated building — after roughly $3 million has already been spent — would itself be “fiscally irresponsible.”
East Central Community Council: “Give Us Time”
One major factor behind the council’s new “pause” was an appeal from the East Central Community Council, which represents the surrounding neighborhood.
In a letter sent Nov. 17, Council Chair Esther Hunter urged the county to:
- Allow renovation and construction to continue
- Give community partners a window of time to explore long-term fiscal solutions
- Find a way to operate and maintain the center without placing an ongoing burden on county finances
Hunter emphasized that the Tenth East Senior Center serves an area with a high density of older adults, and that a modernized facility would be a crucial community asset as the neighborhood ages.
Although the county operates the center, the property is owned by Salt Lake City, adding another layer of complexity. Winder Newton said she has already reached out to the city to discuss options. One concept on the table:
The city would take over the building, finish renovation, and handle deferred maintenance, while the county continues to run programming and services inside.
That kind of shared-responsibility model is similar to approaches used in other communities where cities provide facilities and counties or nonprofits operate senior or community programs. Residents can learn more about county-run senior services on the official Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services page and city property issues via Salt Lake City Corporation.
“It Will Not Be Closing As Of Right Now”
The County Council had been scheduled to take a decisive vote on Dec. 9 to ramp down renovations and permanently close the Tenth East Senior Center. That vote is now effectively on hold.
“I think it’s fair to say this senior center will not be closing as of right now,” Winder Newton told KSL.com, stressing that discussions are underway with potential community partners and Salt Lake City officials to “see if there’s a way to still make it work.”
In the meantime, she proposed reallocating $360,000 originally requested for staff at the currently closed center, using it elsewhere within Aging & Adult Services while construction continues and negotiations play out.
Seniors Tell Council: “We Need Social Connection”
During Tuesday’s public comment period, seniors made it clear what the center means to them.
“We need to be strong and healthy and happy; we need social connection,” said 77-year-old resident Kathy Bearden, urging the council to keep senior centers open and support services across age groups, including child care.
Councilwoman Suzanne Harrison, a Democrat and vocal opponent of closure, expressed empathy and support:
“As someone that cares about building community and supporting folks at all ages in our county, I want you to know we’re going to continue to work for you.”
For many older adults, the Tenth East Senior Center is more than a building — it’s a place to eat, exercise, meet friends, access social workers and stay mentally and physically active. Advocates warn that losing it would deepen isolation at a time when the senior population is booming.
A Test Case For How Salt Lake County Treats Aging Residents
The fate of the Tenth East Senior Center is now intertwined with broader budget and policy debates:
- The 2026 county budget, including a nearly 20% countywide tax increase, is slated for a Dec. 9 vote.
- The county must decide how to balance capital costs (like renovating old buildings) with expanding program needs as more residents age.
- Salt Lake City and other partners are weighing whether they can step in on the facilities side to keep critical services alive without overwhelming county budgets.
For East Central community leaders like Hunter, the priority is clear:
“There’s so many partners that are interested in the central location, providing services. We just really welcome the opportunity to explore those things — but it’s got to be the seniors first.”
Whether the Tenth East Senior Center ultimately reopens as originally envisioned, comes back under a shared city–county model, or is transformed into a hybrid community hub, the current “pause” gives residents time to organize — and leaders time to prove how serious they are about supporting older adults in a rapidly changing Salt Lake City.
