In search of a solution for insufficient facilities at its senior center, the Lakeville City Council has approved a study to determine whether transforming the former police station might be the answer.

At a price tag estimated by city staff at $2.5 million, the 17,365 square feet of vacant space could one day house both the senior center and the Lakeville Area Historical Society.

"I'm suspect as to whether it will work,'' council member Mark Bellows said, "but we need to do the study to find out.''

One question is whether the former police station, with its series of small rooms, offices and jail facilities, can be remodeled in a cost-effective way.

The senior center is bursting out of its 4,991-square-foot building in downtown Lakeville. The historical society, located adjacent to the downtown arts center, has 4,368 square feet of usable space.

A Facility Needs Assessment will look at the current and future needs of both entities. The results will help determine whether it makes sense to prepare detailed plans for a police station remodel.

The City Council will consider a number of scenarios, including moving the senior center and the historical center to the former police station, moving only the senior center or finding another use for the former police station.

The sale of the building that houses the senior center could offset some of the costs of remodeling the old police station. Lakeville Finance Director Dennis Feller estimates the property has a market value between $300,000 and $600,000.

Money will be an issue, including the added operating costs of moving into a larger building. According to Lakeville Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud, a number of local contractors, tradesmen and volunteers already have expressed an interest in helping offset some of the remodeling costs.

The possibility also would exist for holding banquets at the new senior center as an added source of revenue.

The former police station is adjacent to City Hall. Reusing it as a senior center and historical center would fit with the "civic campus" concept for the area that the city prefers.

Dean Spiros • 952-882-9203