Washoe County to Seniors: Plan? Who Needs to Plan?

Today’s announcement about the Sparks Senior Center temporary closure.

Once again, Washoe County's Human Services Agency has proven they fundamentally don't understand the people they're supposed to serve. In a masterclass of poor communication, the county announced today that the senior center would be closing June 30th for 14 days of flooring work.

Seven days' notice. For a 14-day closure. To people who live by their calendars and plan their lives around routine and reliability. Let’s remember the last ‘remodel’ of the 9th Street Senior Center was delayed by a couple of weeks - could that happen in Sparks - sure Washoe County Government doens’t care. This is the same pattern of not caring on the part of the county staff the art of not giving a damn

Here's what makes this particularly galling: flooring projects don't happen overnight. Contractors don't magically appear with materials and schedules. The county had to know about this closure for weeks, if not months. They had to plan the work, get quotes, schedule contractors, order materials, and coordinate the project.

But tell the seniors? Apparently that was an afterthought.

The county buried this announcement in Washoe Life—a publication that, let's be honest, isn't exactly popular. It's the equivalent of hiding important information in the classified ads and then acting surprised when people miss it.

Here's what Washoe County's Human Services Agency doesn't seem to grasp: seniors are planners. They have to be. Fixed incomes mean budgeting ahead. Medical appointments need scheduling around. Transportation arrangements don't happen spontaneously. Social activities and meal planning require advance notice.

The senior center isn't just a building to these residents—it's a lifeline. It's where they get meals, socialize, access services, and maintain the routines that keep them healthy and connected. Disrupting that routine with a week's notice isn't just inconsiderate; it's potentially harmful.

This isn't an isolated incident. It's part of a disturbing pattern of Washoe County treating seniors as an afterthought. Whether it's service cuts, communication failures, or bureaucratic indifference, the county consistently demonstrates they don't value or understand their senior population.

The people who built this community, paid taxes for decades, and now depend on county services deserve better than pseudo press releases buried in obscure publications a week before major disruptions.

Shame on the Human Services Agency for this communication failure. Shame on county management for not requiring better from their departments. And shame on anyone who thinks seven days' notice for a 14-day closure is acceptable for vulnerable populations who depend on consistent services.

Seniors deserve respect, consideration, and adequate notice for service disruptions. Is that really too much to ask from the government they've supported their entire adult lives?

Apparently, in Washoe County, it is.

Today’s full announcement about the Sparks Senior Center temporary closure.