It has been over a decade since efforts began to build a new center for seniors in Orcutt. The Oasis Center has borne expenses of traffic studies, environmental costs, architects, engineers and consultants before one shovel of dirt could be turned.  

             The long-anticipated quest for construction has taken a leap forward with plans to locate the Orcutt library near the Oasis Center off Foxenwood Lane and adjacent to the Orcutt Creek. 

            “It’s a turning point for us,” explains Michelle Southwick, executive director of the Oasis Center. “The opportunity to build the library next to us and share some of the financial burden is exciting.”

            Before plans to build both the library and Oasis at this location, the Oasis Center was projected to cost between seven and eight million dollars. 

            At last month’s “Western Night Under the Stars” Oasis fundraiser in Los Alamos, board president Trevor Lauridsen told 200 supporters, “with the County covering some ancillary costs, the Oasis cost has now dropped to about five million dollars. In addition, the County plans to purchase our five-acre property for $960,000 in a lease back deal, so with the donations we have so far, we need to raise approximately 3.5 million dollars.” Lauridsen honored the Len Knight family for their donation of 10 acres of land adjacent to the proposed project, “which allows for options for parking and open space.”

Southwick says that the Oasis Center needs to raise $3,569,933.76 to complete the project.

The total cost of the senior center is estimated at $7,666,133.76.

            Lauridsen, a civil engineer, explains that infrastructure installation is expensive. With the library next door, we can share costs of parking, driveways and water consumption.”

            The new Orcutt Center will include a 14,069 square foot two story building.                                                The current Oasis Center on Soares Street is housed in manufactured buildings built with a twenty-year lifespan. “We have been in them 40 years, and they were used when we got them,” explains Southwick. “The floors are uneven; cracks in the ceilings and winter rains cause leaking problems.”

            With over 1750 members, Southwick says it is difficult to accommodate space for the more than 50 classes for physical and social health including arts and crafts, physical fitness, hiking, bereavement, computer and financial enrichment, plus a library and daily lunches.

            Additionally, the Orcutt Community Theater uses Oasis for rehearsals and productions, and a church holds services there on Sundays. Various community groups also rent space on evenings and on weekends including the Orcutt Mineral Society and Alcoholics Anonymous.

            Oasis operates with three full-time and three part-time employees.  Southwick says that last year, 242 adult and student volunteers from Righetti, St. Joseph and Orcutt Academy high schools donated time and talent to Oasis events.

            Operating funds for Oasis comes from grants, donations, and fundraisers with 11% from membership dues. Funding for the new center is separate from operating expenses. Oasis board member Fred Carbone says the capital campaign offers opportunities for naming different rooms or areas in the center for families who give targeted levels of donation.

            Lauridsen hopes groundbreaking for the new Oasis Center will be late next year.  Hopefully, according to the County, the Orcutt library will welcome patrons a year later. 

Steve Southwick reporting