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Albert Lea Today
By the People, for the People
Albert Lea City Council Approves Senior Center Relocation Design
The new center will move to a portion of the Jim & Dude's building on South Broadway.
Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:06am
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The new Albert Lea Senior Center will provide a vibrant, accessible space for the city's older adult community to gather, socialize, and access services.Albert Lea TodayThe Albert Lea City Council voted unanimously to approve going out for designs for a new Senior Center, which will be located in a portion of the Jim & Dude's building on South Broadway. The current Senior Center lease at Skyline Plaza is set to expire at the end of the year, prompting the city to explore alternative locations.
Why it matters
The Senior Center has been operating out of the Skyline Plaza location since 1989, but the facility no longer meets accessibility standards and has ongoing maintenance issues. Relocating the center to a new, more suitable space will ensure continued services for the city's older adult population.
The details
The $14,000 design cost will be paid for with a $1,000 in-kind donation for the electrical portion and $10,000 in donations. The current Senior Center, which is overseen by the city's Recreation Department and operated by the Albert Lea Family Y, opened in 1969 and has not been updated since moving to Skyline Plaza. The new location was selected after the city received three proposals, including one to stay at Skyline Plaza, which had many unknowns and would have required a monthly rent of $4,150.
- The Senior Center's current lease at Skyline Plaza expires at the end of 2026.
- The City Council voted on the relocation design approval on April 14, 2026.
The players
Albert Lea City Council
The governing body of the city of Albert Lea, Minnesota, which voted unanimously to approve the design for the new Senior Center location.
Cathy Malakowsky
The engagement and enrichment director for the city of Albert Lea, who said a community-based team conducted an assessment of the current Senior Center facility and found it lacking in accessibility and in need of updates.
Albert Lea Family Y
The organization that contracts with the city to run the day-to-day operations of the Senior Center.
What they’re saying
“There have also been reoccurring roof leaks and plumbing issues, including sewer backups. The space has also not been updated since it opened and needs to be refreshed.”
— Cathy Malakowsky, Engagement and Enrichment Director, City of Albert Lea
What’s next
The city will now move forward with the design process for the new Senior Center location in the Jim & Dude's building, with the goal of having the facility operational by the end of 2026 when the current lease expires.
The takeaway
The relocation of the Albert Lea Senior Center to a more accessible and updated facility represents the city's commitment to supporting its older adult population and ensuring they have a modern, well-equipped space to gather, socialize, and access services.
