Painesville City Enters into Agreement with Fairport Harbor Senior Center
At the July 21 Painesville City Council meeting, City Council unanimously voted for an agreement between the Fairport Harbor Senior Center, the Village of Fairport Harbor and the City of Painesville which will see Painesville financially contribute to the Fairport Senior Center to allow Painesville senior citizens to utilize their facility and services. The Village of Fairport Harbor passed similar legislation accepting the agreement on June 15, 2025.
Painesville will fund $25,000 a year to support programs that enhance the health, well-being, and social engagement of area senior citizens.
“Painesville senior citizens have always been able to join the Fairport Harbor Senior Center. What this agreement does is officially recognize the Fairport Harbor Senior Center as the center that serves Painesville residents as well. Instead of funding a private organization, the City is supporting a center that already is offering programs and services to a large number of our seniors,” said Painesville City Manager Doug Lewis.
While Painesville City and Fairport Harbor share a border and are roughly three miles apart, transportation for seniors without access to a vehicle was considered. Laketran and the Lake County Board of Commissioners provide Lake County senior citizens, age 60 and older, free rides to senior centers and dial-a-ride transportation. The ‘Seniors on the Go’ program offers free of charge services to senior centers, fitness centers, parks, libraries, beauty salons, barber shops, grocery stores, food pantries, farmers markets and pharmacies. Painesville senior citizens will be able to ride Laketran free of charge to the Fairport Harbor Senior Center and back.
Painesville Senior Center History
In 2010, the Painesville Area Senior Citizens Organization, an independent non-profit organization, had a fire that severely impacted the Dorothy Allen Building on Painesville Square. Subsequently, with approval of the Senior Center Board, the former building was sold to the Lake County Commissioners for demolition. After the senior organization received substantial funding from insurance and the sale of the property, the City of Painesville attempted to work with them to find another location in the city that met their needs. The Senior Center Board was not able to agree on a proposed location.
In May 2016, the organization renamed itself, Painesville Seniors, and relocated to the Lake County Central YMCA. Before and after this relocation, the City of Painesville attempted to work with Painesville Seniors to enter into an agreement to provide Senior Services, which the organization had not offered since the fire. In 2018, Painesville Seniors partnered with the Lake County Health District to provide “Connections” for seniors throughout Lake County. Shortly thereafter, the Painesville Seniors organization ceased to provide services to the residents of Painesville.
On December 16, 2024 Painesville City Council passed Resolution 63-24 requesting the Painesville Seniors organization turn over all their remaining funds to the Fairport Senior Center or to the City of Painesville for the benefit of Painesville senior citizens. If monies were turned over to the City of Painesville, funds would be placed in a restricted financial account exclusively used for providing activities, service and facilities for Painesville senior citizens. There has been no response to date from the Painesville Seniors organization.
Painesville will fund $25,000 a year to support programs that enhance the health, well-being, and social engagement of area senior citizens.
“Painesville senior citizens have always been able to join the Fairport Harbor Senior Center. What this agreement does is officially recognize the Fairport Harbor Senior Center as the center that serves Painesville residents as well. Instead of funding a private organization, the City is supporting a center that already is offering programs and services to a large number of our seniors,” said Painesville City Manager Doug Lewis.
While Painesville City and Fairport Harbor share a border and are roughly three miles apart, transportation for seniors without access to a vehicle was considered. Laketran and the Lake County Board of Commissioners provide Lake County senior citizens, age 60 and older, free rides to senior centers and dial-a-ride transportation. The ‘Seniors on the Go’ program offers free of charge services to senior centers, fitness centers, parks, libraries, beauty salons, barber shops, grocery stores, food pantries, farmers markets and pharmacies. Painesville senior citizens will be able to ride Laketran free of charge to the Fairport Harbor Senior Center and back.
Painesville Senior Center History
In 2010, the Painesville Area Senior Citizens Organization, an independent non-profit organization, had a fire that severely impacted the Dorothy Allen Building on Painesville Square. Subsequently, with approval of the Senior Center Board, the former building was sold to the Lake County Commissioners for demolition. After the senior organization received substantial funding from insurance and the sale of the property, the City of Painesville attempted to work with them to find another location in the city that met their needs. The Senior Center Board was not able to agree on a proposed location.
In May 2016, the organization renamed itself, Painesville Seniors, and relocated to the Lake County Central YMCA. Before and after this relocation, the City of Painesville attempted to work with Painesville Seniors to enter into an agreement to provide Senior Services, which the organization had not offered since the fire. In 2018, Painesville Seniors partnered with the Lake County Health District to provide “Connections” for seniors throughout Lake County. Shortly thereafter, the Painesville Seniors organization ceased to provide services to the residents of Painesville.
On December 16, 2024 Painesville City Council passed Resolution 63-24 requesting the Painesville Seniors organization turn over all their remaining funds to the Fairport Senior Center or to the City of Painesville for the benefit of Painesville senior citizens. If monies were turned over to the City of Painesville, funds would be placed in a restricted financial account exclusively used for providing activities, service and facilities for Painesville senior citizens. There has been no response to date from the Painesville Seniors organization.