Portion of Royal View Elementary to become North Royalton senior center

At the April 19, 2022, North Royalton City Council meeting, it was announced that the School District and City are in the process of securing an agreement to transform a portion of the former Royal View Elementary School into a city senior center.

North Royalton Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz said the opportunity was born from a suggestion made by Ward 1 Councilman John Nickell. A phone call to North Royalton Superintendent Mike Laub brought an enthusiastic response, he said.

“For a number of years, I have heard our seniors continually ask for a better senior center facility. I listened, and this is an answer to their needs,” Antoskiewicz said.”It is also another shining example of the great working relationship we have enjoyed for a number of years with the school district. I believe this is a prudent use of tax dollars and is an efficient utilization of available space for the benefit and enjoyment of our seniors.”

Antoskiewicz said some renovations to the building need to be completed prior to the senior center’s relocation.

“Our goal is to have things in place and ready to move in by the first of the year,” he said. “I believe this is a way to provide better services for our seniors and address their needs, while still being fiscally responsible and cognizant of taxpayer dollars.”

Laub said he believes it is a win for everyone any time the school district can partner with the city to serve the community and save taxpayer dollars.

“This is one example of the many ideas the mayor and I have discussed,” Laub said. “We are excited to see this happening and look forward to other partnerships that make sense for our community.”

Though details are still being finalized, Laub said the rear Royal View Elementary is still being targeted for the construction of a permanent Safety Town.

“We are hoping that the rest of the building will someday house the central office administration for the district and perhaps a professional development area,” he added. “At this time, there is not a specific timeline in place for that conversation as there are other capital needs we would like to address first.” ∞