Several users of the Technology Learning Center turned out for the Community Services Advisory Commission meeting March 23, fearing the commission might be ready to evict the TLC from the Community Center.

While the commission members made no guarantees for unlimited access, they were clear they had no intentions of ending the TLC accommodation.

“I believe (TLC) is an integral part of the programming we offer,” Commissioner Jim Judge said.

TLC teaches basic technology use to older residents so they do not need to be dependent on children or grandchildren for assistance. This has applied to all phases of computer use and is expanding to other media such as tablets and smartphones.

At issue is the fact that the TLC uses a room in the Community Center where it has numerous desktop computers and, for security’s sake, no one else uses the room.

The Community Center has reached the point where that space is needed for other programs, according to Commission Vice Chairman Sherm Abrahamson.

“We cannot afford to allow that space to sit idle,” he said.

Abrahamson said he and Judge along with Community Services Director Mark Mayer continue to discuss options with representatives of TLC.

Ralph Craner, coordinator for TLC, said he has resisted converting the program to the sole use of more portable devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones.

However, he noted that these are the items people are becoming more interested in learning about, and TLC’s course offerings have changed to reflect that trend.

Craner said they are looking into converting to the smaller devices, but security and storage is still a concern.

Senior Services Supervisor Kelley Fonville said that should not be an issue. She noted that there is a lot of technical equipment securely stored at the facility and additional items such as laptops should not be an issue.

Craner also said he has concerns regarding scheduling. He said he was told that even if he scheduled classes several months in advance he could be bumped for other programs.

Commissioner Jerry Gorrell was surprised by that statement. He said he served on the Community Center Advisory Commission from the day the doors opened, and it has never worked that way.

He said it doesn’t matter how far in advance, once someone has formally booked the space, it is theirs.

Fonville noted they have bookings up to a year in advance for the Activity Center.

Craner was asked just how much time they use in the computer lab. He said they have about 87 classes per month that require three days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Currently that is essentially Monday through Wednesday.

Gorrell said he does not see how that is a problem. It was suggested they could even set up Monday morning and not knock down until end of the day on Wednesday. That would still preclude evening use by others on Monday and Tuesday.

Both sides apparently agree that the TLC wants to continue to use the Community Center, and the town wants it there, however, there are details to work out to make more efficient use of the space used by the group.